FIFA has opened an investigation after France national soccer team players were racially abused by fans in Russia, less than three months before the country hosts the World Cup.

Monkey chants could be heard from the crowd in St. Petersburg on Tuesday when black French players touched the ball in a friendly against Russia. The abuse was also audible on a TV broadcast after Paul Pogba scored FranceB次元官网网址檚 second goal in a 3-1 win.

FIFA said Wednesday in a statement it was collecting evidence and would contact the anti-discrimination Fare Network, which helps world soccerB次元官网网址檚 governing body investigate racism cases.

B次元官网网址淔IFA is collecting the different match reports and potential evidence in regards to the discriminatory incident reported in the media,B次元官网网址� FIFA said in a statement. B次元官网网址淯ntil we have evaluated all information available, we cannot comment further.B次元官网网址�

French Sports Minister Laura Flessel also called for action.

B次元官网网址淩acism has no place on the soccer field,B次元官网网址� Flessel wrote on Twitter alongside a picture of the French team. B次元官网网址淲e should act together at a European and international level in order to stop this intolerable behaviour.B次元官网网址�

Flessel didnB次元官网网址檛 comment directly on the chants at TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 game.

Fare said the incidents in St. Petersburg highlight shortcomings in how Russia has prepared for the World Cup.

B次元官网网址淚f photographers heard it pitch-side, then there must have been stewards and other officials who also heard it,B次元官网网址� Fare Network executive director Piara Powar said. B次元官网网址淚f, toward the end of March, these guys donB次元官网网址檛 know what to do, and theyB次元官网网址檙e not initiating procedures and protocols that exist, then that doesnB次元官网网址檛 bode very well for the World Cup.

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B次元官网网址淪o close to the World Cup, questions are being asked as to why it wasnB次元官网网址檛 dealt with as it occurred during play.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 the third racism case this season at St. Petersburg Stadium, which will host a World Cup semifinal match. Zenit St. Petersburg has twice faced UEFA charges for racism by its fans in Europa League games.

Zenit fans flew a banner praising convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic when playing a Macedonian club in November and are accused of using a racially charged term to mock an injured black player in a game against Leipzig. The second case is due to be heard by UEFA on May 31, two weeks before the World Cup begins.

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Ellingworth reported from Moscow. AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar in Geneva contributed to this report.

Dmitri Lovetsky And James Ellingworth, The Associated Press

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