RACIST AND ANTI-GAY CHANTS ON RISE IN RUSSIA AHEAD OF WORLD CUP

Racist and anti-gay chants have become more common in Russian soccer as the country prepares to host the World Cup, even as overall incidents of discrimination declined. Nineteen incidents of abusive chants were recorded this season, according to an annual report from the anti-discrimination Fare Network and the Moscow-based Sova Center released Wednesday. That compares to two cases the season before, and 10 the year before that. Last month, Nigeria defender Bryan Idowu, who was born and raised in Russia, said some fans in the country viewed racist abuse as a tactic to distract opposing players, rather than as a statement of ideology. Fare is issuing a guide to Rus- sia for visiting fans and operating a helpline for fans from minority groups to report harassment or attacks.