ST. PETERSBURG, April 16 (Xinhua) -- World soccer governing body FIFA has started investigation into fans' racist cries at the Russia-France friendly match held here on March 27.

Visting France beat Russia 3-1. The France Press photographer noticed racist cries of some fans towards Ousmane Dembele, a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for Barcelona and France.

RIA Novosti reported Monday that the Russian Football Union made a request to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to identify the fans involved in the incident.

They will most likely be denied access to the matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the Russian Championship, it added.