MOSCOW, September 4 (RIA Novosti) - St. Petersburg riot police were forced to hold back a large crowd of angry Zenit fans who had gathered to confront new signing Vladimir Bystrov on Friday morning at the city's main train station.
The Sovetski Sport daily said that the Zenit "Ultras" were waiting for Bystrov, who recently signed for the club from rivals Spartak Moscow, when he arrived in Russia's northern capital with the national side. Russia face Liechtenstein in St. Petersburg on Saturday in a 2010 World Cup qualifier.
Attacking midfielder Bystrov, a native of St. Petersburg, began his career with Zenit in 2001 and was sold in 2005. He was brought back to the club for some $20 million last month.
Bystrov, who was recently linked with English Premier League side Everton, scored a number of vital goals against Zenit during his stay in Moscow and has been accused by the Petersburg fans of betraying his hometown team.
Arsenal star Andrei Arshavin, who played for Zenit from 2000 to 2009, defended Bystrov.
"The fans have forgotten how Bystrov left Zenit, and simply don't know how much he wanted to return home, to St. Petersburg," he told Sport Express.
Zenit players appealed on the club's website on Friday for the club's fans to get behind the team as the Russian season approaches its conclusion. The team are currently sixth in the Premier League, with nine games to play.
