Alexey Smertin will replace Hulk as an assistant for the preliminary 2018 World Cup draw in Russia on Saturday, FIFA has said.

Zenit St Petersburg star Hulk had been due to act as a draw assistant despite his recent complaints that he witnessed racism in "almost every game" in Russia.

The Brazil international said he was "flattered" by the invitation to take part in the event in St Petersburg, but he will no longer take part.

Russia newspaper Sport Express reports that Zenit boss Andre Villas-Boas withdrew Hulk from the event due to the fact the team has an away match at Ural on Sunday.