Fifa warned it must tackle homophobia in Russia

Fifa’s official anti-discrimination partner last night warned it was “critical” that homophobia was added as an offence to the ruling body’s disciplinary code before the World Cup.

Ahead of Friday’s draw for next summer’s finals in Russia, the head of FARE – which helps football’s global governing organisation operate its anti-discrimination monitoring system – said openly gay fans faced “danger” in a country that recently outlawed the promotion of homosexuality to minors. They also face abuse inside stadiums, with several qualified countries having been repeatedly punished for homophobic chanting by their fans.

Fifa’s disciplinary code outlaws abuse concerning race, colour, language, religion or origin, with any breaches by spectators punished with a fine of at least £23,000 for the relevant national association, with ejection from the World Cup the ultimate sanction. But there is no mention of abuse due to sexual orientation, with Fifa having fined the Brazilian, Argentine and Mexican football associations over homophobic chants, using the offence of improper conduct, which has no such minimum tariff.

Piara Powar, FARE’S executive director, who will deploy two representatives at every game to report any breaches of the code, said: “There is no offence of homophobia in Fifa’s rules and we have made clear that there should be. It is critical there is a clear message about Fifa’s ability to act in these cases.”

Powar also revealed FARE would be producing a support guide for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic fans and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender supporters travelling to a World Cup.