Europe's most racist fans come to Britain (and there's not a black player in sight)

Manchester police and the Government have warned some of the world's most notoriously racist football fans – those of Zenit St Petersburg – not to bring their abuse of black players to Britain when their side face Glasgow Rangers in the Uefa Cup final at the City of Manchester stadium tonight.

Uefa's chief spokesman, William Gaillard, also intervened as the prospect of racist clashes threatened to return to England's terraces. "There will be zero tolerance," he said. "The referee is perfectly in his rights to interrupt the game and not start again until the problem resolves."

The warnings came less than 48 hours after Gordon Brown hosted a "Show Racism the Red Card" event at Downing Street.

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And the concerns were expressed as the Russian club's coach, Dick Advocaat, faced scrutiny over alleged claims that black players would not be accepted by the side's fans, who were heard racially abusing Marseilles players in March.

Zenit fans in masks were photographed hanging a toy monkey in a Marseilles shirt. The French team's defender, Ronald Zubar, complained of racist abuse. "The Zenit fans threw a banana at us and made monkey sounds," he claimed.

Uefa is investigating the allegations, and was expected to announce its findings last Thursday but, with the eyes of Europe on tonight's match, the announcement was delayed. A ruling is due on 8 May, when the club can expect a fine and a warning to puts its house in order.

Zenit is the only major club in Russia with no black players. "I would be happy to sign anyone but the fans don't like black players," Mr Advocaat was quoted as saying previously. "I don't understand how they could pay so much attention to skin colour. For me, there's no difference between white, black or red. But the fans are the most important thing Zenit have. That's why, in future, I have to ask them outright how they'll react if we sign a dark-skinned player. If the fans don't agree with me, I won't do it. I won't buy a player who won't be accepted by the fans."

However, the coach has now denied those words. "No, I didn't say that," Advocaat said. "There is no problem at all. We don't have so many problems about that."

But with black players Jean-Claude Darcheville and Amdy Faye set to play for Rangers, the Sports minister, Gerry Sutcliffe, said any fans found guilty of racist abuse could face six months in prison. "Come here and racially abuse black players and you will feel the full force of the law," he said. "Our success in tackling racism is based on a zero-tolerance approach and Zenit fans will have to abide by our rules."

Manchester's police chief, superintendent Gerry Donnellan, said: "If people want to come to Manchester to engage in racist behaviour, police will have to respond in an appropriate manner."