Rebrov fires repulsive racist rant telling Pavlyuchenko of dangers of Tottenham

Sergei Rebrov in action for Tottenham in 2002

Rebrov, who was widely panned as a flop during his time at Spurs between 2000-2004, made his astonishing claims to Football Weekly magazine.

His comments are sure to provoke widespread criticism, not least from those that live in the north London communities in and around Tottenham.

He said: 'I wouldn't go for a walk on my own around White Hart Lane.

'A lot of dark skinned people live there. So naturally the crime rate is higher than anywhere else.

'It's not nice to be a robbery victim. So I suggest that Roman doesn't walk but drives around that area.'

Pavlyuchenko is expected to join his new club Tottenham on Thursday after playing for the Russian national team in their World Cup qualifier against Wales.

In the same article, ex-Fulham midfielder Alexei Smertin said: 'Of course there are districts where Roman shouldn't go on his own.   

Roman Pavlyuchenko will join Spurs this week after playing for Russia in their World Cup qualifier against Wales

'The first place that springs to mind is Croydon. It's populated with predominantly low income folks. But I can't see why Roman should find himself there - it's quite far from the Tottenham area.' 

Russian newspaper Sovetski Sport sent journalist Andrei Lyalin to check out the Tottenham area.

Lyalin told his readers: 'Seven Sisters tube station is just ten minutes ride from the centre of London. I got out there and it occurred to me that the area looked as English as the Arsenal team.

'Broken windows of sooty brick houses, dirty shops selling cheap fruits and vegetables at every corner, immigrant teenage gangs on bikes.'

He added that he was glad it was daylight when he went to the area, saying: 'Otherwise I would lose in the district much more than the £60 a black marketeer charged me for a ticket behind one of the goals.'