Former Berekum Chelsea defender, Edward Kpodo says he had a great time playing in Russia but faced racist abuse in the country.
According to Kpodo, he was verbally abused when he stepped out of his home to shop but never experienced it on the field of play.
Edward Kpodo arrived in Russia in 2013 and joined FC Khimki on loan from Berekum Cheslea before crossing paths to another Russian outside, FC Shinnik Yaroslavl on a permanent deal in 2014.
Speaking to LinusNartey TV on YouTube, the experienced centre-back said “On the field, I never encountered any racist act but when I stepped out, people verbally abuse me when you don’t know or even asked them anything. Because of the color, they see you and begin to rain insults on you. I don’t understand the language but they do signs to show you’re being verbally assaulted, following and pointing fingers at you. I don’t think about that, my focus is on my career and that was more important to me”
When quizzed on how he was affected emotional and how he fought to overcome racism and focus on his career, he further stated that “I have families to feed back In Ghana but for verbal abuse, they do happen but for me I don’t brood about it”.
Edward Kpodo started his professional career with Team Youth where he played for the Harbour City lads for 3 years, two in the Premiership and another in Division One before signing for Berekum Chelsea in 2011.
Kpodo went on to play in Armenia before returning to have a second stint with Berekum Chelsea in 2020.
Watch the full interview below.