Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe has warned Zenit St Petersburg fans they could face prison if found guilty of racist abuse towards Rangers' black players in the UEFA Cup final.

The Russian club have been charged by UEFA after complaints from Marseille players that they were racially abused and Sutcliffe insisted there would be a zero-tolerance approach in Manchester on Wednesday night.

He said: "I know Zenit St Petersburg fans have been accused of racially abusing black players at the Marseille game and obviously there are fears in some quarters that the same could happen on Wednesday.

"I've raised this issue with Vernon Coaker, the Home Office minister, and my message to Zenit fans is simple: come here to enjoy the game and you'll be welcomed with open arms.

"Come here and racially abuse black players and you will feel the full force of the law.

"Our success in tackling racism is based on a zero-tolerance approach and Zenit fans will have to abide by our tough rules."

Under the Football (Offences) Act 1991, racist chanting is a criminal offence, with a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment.

Zenit pride themselves on the number of Russians in their team and eyebrows have been raised at the fact they have no black players in the squad, although there are two Koreans.

Manager Dick Advocaat was even quoted saying the presence of racist 'ultra' fans has prevented him from signing black players, although it has since been claimed his comments were mis-translated.

Zenit say they and their players have taken part in several anti-racist programmes and have expressed their opposition to "all manifestations of racism".