Brazil’s Hulk engages the crowd for support during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game against Chile at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 28, 2014.
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Russian Federation newspaper Sport Express reports that Zenit boss Andre Villas-Boas withdrew Hulk from the event due to the fact the team has an away match at Ural on Sunday.
He will be one of the draw assistants along with others including compatriot Ronaldo, former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro and Cameroon’s Samuel Eto’o.
Russia, hosts for the 2018 World Cup, have repeatedly been criticised for failure to tackle racism in domestic soccer.
Hulk, who joined Zenit from Porto three years ago, said on Monday that he feared racism could mar the World Cup.
Hulk had said he was honoured after being named as a draw participant on Wednesday.
In December, Hulk alleged he was racially abused by Russian referee Alexei Matyunin during a league game.
“If (racism) happens in the World Cup, it will be really gross and really ugly”.
“I see it happening all the time. I used to get raging, but now I just send a kiss to our fans and try not to get mad”.
The controversy over racism in Russian football escalated when Ghanaian Emmanuel Frimpong complained he was a target of racial abuse in the recent opening round of the new Russian league season while playing for FC Ufa against Spartak Moscow.
Frimpong was banned for two matches, but no further action has been taken against Spartak.
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“I believe that quality preparation and hosting of the 2018 World Cup will allow us to attract even more tourists and to show our city to the whole world, not only as a cultural capital of the Russian Federation but also as a sports capital”, said Georgy Poltavchenko, St. Petersburg governor.
