Russia: Football's Step Backwards for LGBTI Rights

The football World Cup is set to kick off in Russia this year, held in a country which openly opposes homosexuals and other ethnic backgrounds. FIFA has handed football’s most illustrious cup to a country in which there is no guarantee over fan safety and the preservation of human rights.

After the draw for the group stages took place on the 1st of December, everyone’s eyes have turned to the excitement of this year’s tournament. As anticipation builds for the arrival of some of the world’s best with Spain, Brazil and even England looking threatening – a large group of fans will feel unwelcome to support their nations. Little has been done to help LGBT fans facing a barrage of prejudice and antagonism on their arrival.

The discrimination in Russia against LGBT rights is extreme in comparison to British society. FARE, football’s world governing body for operating the anti-discrimination monitoring system, is producing a guide on how Black, Asian, minority ethnic groups and LGBT supporters should behave out in public during the tournament. A guide on how human beings should act in order to avoid violence from bigots, in a country deemed “safe” enough to hold the most prestigious football tournament in the world. How has FIFA allowed this to happen? Read more via Impact Nottingham