Ukraine player gives up on Rayo move after 'Nazi' furore

pulse 22:21 - 09 March 2017

Ukraine's Roman Zozulya (L) vies with Wales' Chris Gunter during the international friendly football match between Ukraine and Wales at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev on March 28, 2016

Zozulya, 27, spent just 24 hours on loan at the Madrid club last month before being recalled by Betis.

Ukraine international Roman Zozulya on Thursday has given up on his planned transfer to Rayo Vallecano and will remain at Real Betis until the end of the season after being caught up in a neo-Nazi row.

Zozulya, 27, spent just 24 hours on loan at the Madrid club last month before being recalled by Betis after Rayo fans greeted his arrival with banners reading: "Vallekas is not the place for Nazis."

", and have reached an agreement to end the contract between the three parties on the transfer of the player to Rayo Vallecano," said the second-division Madrid club in a statement.

"Zozulya will train with Real Betis in the expectation of studying the different possibilities for the player to join another team."

Zozulya has insisted he was "not linked to or a supporter of any paramilitary or neo-Nazi group."