After Anzhi Makhachkalan supporters were attacked by Moscow fans following a Europa League match marred by crowd trouble, the head of the Dagestan region asked the Russian people to fight nationalism and racism.

"While most Russian fans cheered Anzhi's victory, others have tried to use the match to incite nationalistic hysteria and hatred between various ethnic groups in Russia," Dagestan leader Magomedsalam Magomedov said in a statement.

Magomedov said it was not the first time Anzhi fans had been victims of nationalistic violence. UEFA has banned Anzhi from playing at home this season because of security concerns, yet several hundred local fans attended a Europa League match against AZ Alkmaar, won by Anzhi, 1-0, to racially abuse its players and throw objects on the field.

Some fans were pictured giving a Nazi salute and chanting slogans such as "Russia is for Russians" and "Caucasians go home." The fans said they were protesting against the club from the volatile North Caucasus region playing their games in Moscow.