Zimbabwe football fans expressed outrage Monday at reports of racial abuse aimed at Zimbabwean striker Mike Temwanjira by fans from his Borac Club in Serbia.
News reports said fans in the town of Cacak put on white hoods like those of the U.S. white supremacist organization Ku Klux Klan and held up placards saying Temwanjira was not wanted in Serbia and should go away. The incident is alleged to have taken place during a match against Vozdovac Belgrade Saturday.
Police later told reporters that eight fans had been detained and would face charges of spreading racial hatred and intolerance. About 30 others were released.
Temwanjira's home supporters said the Zimbabwe Football Association ought to take action against the Serbian club to ensure the safety of Zimbabwean players abroad.
Sports commentator Michael Kariati told reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that ZIFA could lodge a complaint with the International Football Federation, or FIFA, and the Football Association of Serbia, or FSS.