FIFA urged to ensure LGBT fans safety at World Cup in Russia
Appetite to travel to World Cup is strong, despite warnings about holding hands; Pride In Football group call for FIFA reassurance
Wednesday 29 November 2017 15:34, UK
England's LGBT fans remain determined to travel to next summer's World Cup in Russia, despite warnings from an anti-discrimination group against holding hands in public.
The alliance of LGBT football fans Pride In Football (PiF), who took a party of over 100 supporters to England's friendly against Germany earlier this month, has a number of members who want to go to the World Cup.
PiF, who are now made up of 35 club groups along with home nations supporters, insist there is a real appetite among its members to travel to Russia but that enthusiasm is tempered by awareness of the Russian Federation's laws and attitudes.
"We want to go and support England at the World Cup, but there are risks, particularly as some of the host venues' regions seem to be more active in legislating against the LGBT+ community than the federation as a whole," said PiF campaign lead Joe White.
A guide is set to be released by Fare - an anti-discrimination group that campaigns for equality in football - that will advise fans to be "cautious in any place which is not seen to be welcoming to the LGBT community," according to Piara Powar, Fare's executive director.
"If you have gay fans walking down the street holding hands, will they face danger in doing so? That depends on which city they are in and the time of day," said Powar.
"The guide will also include some detailed explanations of, for example, the actual situation of the LGBT community in Russia. It is not a crime to be gay but there is a law against the promotion of homosexuality to minors. Issues relating to the LGBT community are not part of the public discourse. Gay people have a place in Russia which is quite hidden and underground."
The British Embassy in Moscow is encouraging England fans from all backgrounds to attend next summer's tournament and will hold talks with FIFA over issues involving discrimination towards supporters.
Tom Regan, Her Majesty's Consul in Russia, told Sky Sports News: "Our priority is the safety and security of all British fans of all backgrounds. We want as many British fans to come to Russia as possible."
PiF has also urged FIFA for reassurances that the Russian authorities will ensure that all fans are welcome regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and have specifically requested a designated legal team available 24 hours a day for the duration of the tournament.
PiF has also asked that LGBT+ fans will be able to display rainbow-crested flags and scarves without being penalised or running the risk of ejection from the stadiums.
PiF chair Di Cunningham said: "With no out players, LGBT visibility in football is very much about supporters so we'd like to mark our attendance in a small way.
"We feel a duty to our Russian counterparts be visible, in spite or perhaps because of the Russian Federation's 'Gay Propaganda Law' that bars their attendance as an identifiable group at games in their own country."
