West Bromwich Albion striker Peter Odemwingie has told FIFA they can't be serious about Russia's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
The Nigeria striker was unwittingly at the centre of a storm when Lokomotiv Moscow supporters celebrated his sale to West Bromwich Albion by displaying a banner depicting a banana, with the message: 'Thanks West Brom.'
"I'm not opposed to Russia holding the World Cup," he told newspaper Sovetskiy Sport. "But at the same time I wonder, how is it possible to carry out such an important tournament in such an atmosphere?
"After all, thousands of Africans, Asians and Latin Americans would come to Russia. What would happen if they are welcomed - be it players or supporters - by animal noises? Or the next banner that someone will make? Russia will be disgraced before the whole world.
"It's a pity that in Russia - and I consider it my homeland - that this is how things are."
