FIFA is asking the Russian Football Union (RFU) to explain why it has sanctioned a Ghanaian footballer for his reaction to fan racism and not the alleged abusers' team.
FIFA sustainability head Federico Addiechi told a FIFA press conference in St. Petersburg on July 23 that the Russians have been given until July 28 to respond to the governing body's disciplinary department.
During the July 17 opening match of the Russian Premier League, Spartak Moscow fans could be heard racially taunting FC Ufa midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong.
Frimpong, who reacted with a finger gesture to the fans, later apologized but was banned for two games, with the RFU saying it had found no evidence of racism.
It was the latest racism incident to blight Russian football ahead of the 2018 World Cup, which Russia will host.
