Dick Advocaat and Walter Smith yesterday adopted a diplomatic approach amid fears Jean-Claude Darcheville could become a target for a racist element of Zenit St Petersburg's support.

Gerry Sutcliffe, minister for sport and culture, expressed his concerns after Advocaat told Russian newspapers his signing policy was compromised by the fact Zenit's fans would not accept the arrival of a black footballer to the club. This despite the unprecedented trend among cash-rich Eastern European clubs to utilise the South American market.

Darcheville and DaMarcus Beasley, who is injured for tonight's game, were subjected to racist abuse when Rangers played FK Zeta in Montenegro in their Champions League qualifier.

Smith insisted: "It is not a concern, because we are concerned purely about football matters. To address the other parts that I have read, about Zenit having problems with their supporters, we have had our own problems with sectarianism and the club are trying to adjust the situation. I am sure they will adjust theirs. If it occurs, I am sure they will be mature enough to handle it."

Advocaat did not allow the issue to deflect his attention from tonight's UEFA Cup final. When asked if he was worried about the possibility of Zenit's fans abusing Rangers' black players, he said: "No, not at all. There is no issue at Zenit."

When informed of Sutcliffe's comments, he added: "I think he must have other concerns than this. This is a football match. It is not about colour."

When pressed a third time, the UEFA media officer intervened after Advocaat reiterated his stance. "We don't think about that," said Advocaat. "It has become a little bit of an issue, but I don't know why. If you see how many black players are playing in Russia, there is no problem at all. An issue is building up now, I understand that, but it is not a problem."