Homosexual fans could face dire consequences if they flout the Russian laws

[PHOTO: COURTESY]

World football governing body FIFA has released a statement warning homosexual football fans who will travel to Russia to watch World Cup next year. FIFA has cautioned the fans that those who will disregard the Russian laws by engaging in public affection will be arrested by the Russian government.

Russia changed its laws to decriminalize homosexuality in 1993, but the country brought in another law criminalizing behaviours exposing minors to homosexual behaviours in 2013. This implies that actions of displaying affections such as holding hands and caressing are criminal under the Russian laws, as they display wrong picture to the minors that ‘homosexuality is normal and tolerable.’’