FC Rostov coach Igor Gamula has been suspended for five matches after being found guilty of making racist comments, the Russian Football Union (RFS) announced in a statement.The ban comes after players of Russian Premier League side asked the club to fire the manager and several, including the South African defender Siyanda Xulu, threatened to strike.

The derogatory remarks caused an outcry in the media. Earlier this week, South Africa's football and sports authorities called on FIFA to look into the incident.

After the disciplinary committee meeting, the RSF vice president Nikita Simonyan said: "Of course, you need to watch what you say, especially when we are trying to battle against racism,

"If you want my personal opinion, I think Gamula said he was sorry enough times. He literally slapped himself in his face for making such an unfortunate joke."

Gamula’s remarks were made in a post-match interview (31 October) when the media asked him on whether the club would sign the Cameroon defender Benoit Angbwa. Gamula replied saying the club had ”enough dark-skinned players, we’ve got six of the things”.

On the incident, the 54 year-old said: "I immediately told the journalist that my remarks were between him and me and it was a joke. He took the quote and published it,”.

The Russian manager has also said the RFS told him not to comment on his ban.