Holden becomes first American to play for Russia
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-09-13 13:34

"There are people in Moscow who hate blacks, that's why I don't want to go out. It's very dangerous," he said in 2003.

Another former Spartak Moscow defender, Senegal's Ibra Kebe, echoed Tchuisse's view, saying black players were often abused by Russian fans.

RACIAL PROBLEMS

Racism has been a major problem in Russia since the collapse of communism and unprovoked attacks on black people have become common.

Holden, who is himself black and has played in Latvia, Belgium and Greece, played down the issue. "There are racial problems all around the world, there's racism in the United States, in Spain and in Russia, so there's no difference to me," he said.

"Did I have any problems here? No. I'm sure I've heard things being said but that's life. I've heard lots of words in America too but it doesn't bother me.

"You just have to approach each situation the best you can. What's really important to me is how my team mates treat me."

Holden has had an immediate impact on the Russian team.

Since joining in late August, he has led Russia in scoring in four of their five friendly matches against top European opposition, including defending European champions Lithuania, with Russia winning four of those games.

Sergei Belov, one of Russia's all-time basketball greats, however, was unenthusiastic about Holden joining the team.

"I've always thought that we should have enough of our own resources to pick the national team," the former Soviet captain told Reuters.

"Of course, in my time we couldn't even imagine something like this happening. But then, we couldn't imagine a lot of other things happening in Russia nowadays."

Current Russia captain and NBA All-Star with the Utah Jazz, Andrei Kirilenko, was more upbeat.

"Having Jon on our side has made the team so much stronger," Kirilenko said. "It has made us real contenders for the Euro title."

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