Christopher Samba is banned by Russian Football Union after retaliating to racist abuse

Christopher Samba: Reacted to fan abuse

Dynamo Moscow defender Christopher Samba has been banned for two matches by the Russian Football Union after responding to racist abuse in a match against Torpedo Moscow.

The former QPR and Blackburn centre-back stuck his middle finger up to Torpedo fans on September 22 before being substituted at half-time.

The RFU has said Samba's actions were an 'unpleasant gesture' and they had little option but to ban the Congolese.

"We took into account what happened on the pitch and that he was provoked. Therefore we decided to give the lightest possible punishment," said Artur Grigoryants, head of the RFU disciplinary committee.

Samba, who has apologised for his actions, responded: "I want to play football and not have to listen to racial taunts."

Samba was abused in his first spell in Russia when a banana was thrown at him at Lokomotiv Moscow's Stadium when playing for Anzhi Makhachkala.

Torpedo will have part of their stadium closed for their next match as punishment for the abuse.