England fans are warned: Don’t show if you’re gay

Supporters could face Russian rage

THE official England fans’ guide for the World Cup is warning gay supporters not to openly display their sexuality in Russia.

The Football Supporters’ Federation (FSF), which represents more than half a million fans, has issued advice to lesbian, gay and transgender Three Lions followers. The guide, which will be handed out in Russia, says: ‘Whilst often you are able to behave as you would in the UK, certain things must be treated with caution in societies less tolerant than back home.

“There is no reason not to come to the World Cup if you are LGBT. It is strongly advised that you do not publicly display your sexuality.” Same-sex sexual activity has been decriminalised in Russia since 1993 but fans are told ‘propaganda for non-traditional sexual relations’ to minors has been banned since 2013.

The Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta reported last year 200 men accused of being gay were rounded up in Chechnya, tortured and even killed. And the crackdown has now also spread to other areas. Up to 10,000 England fans are expected to travel to the tournament, which kicks off next Thursday.

■ Cricket legend Freddie Flintoff and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson have recorded an unofficial World Cup anthem for England, a version of Boney M’s 1970s hit Rasputin.