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Fans at Russia 2018 World Cup will be allowed to fly rainbow flags

Homosexuality was illegal in Russia until 1993 but there still remains strong anti-gay sentiment

Jack Austin
Thursday 30 November 2017 15:21 GMT
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Organisers of the 2018 World Cup in Russia have confirmed that they will tolerate fans flying rainbow flags, despite laws prohibiting “propaganda” of homosexuality to minors in the country.

Former Chelsea midfielder Alexei Smertin, who is an ambassador for the World Cup in his home country and a Russian Football Union official, confirmed there would be no restrictions on fans “expressing feelings”.

“There will definitely be no ban on wearing rainbow symbols in Russia,” Smertin said at a news conference in Moscow on Thursday to discuss race and discrimination issues in football. “It’s clear you can come here and not be fined for expressing feelings.”

He also added it is unlikely that gay fans would fall foul of the Russian laws on homosexuality as the law is only aimed towards children.

The law is about propaganda to minors ... I can’t imagine that anyone is going to go into a school and speak,” he added.

Homosexuality was illegal in Russia until 1993 when it was decriminalised but there still remains a strong anti-gay feeling in the country.

The federal law against “propaganda” of homosexuality to minors was passed in 2013 and the country has been widely criticised for banning gay pride events and the discussions of gay rights in public areas where children may be present.

Prior to hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, president Vladimir Putin told gay people they would be welcome to the country as long as they would “leave the children in peace”.

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