A Russian politician named Tamara Pletnyova, has warned against local women having sex with foreign fans travelling to the country for the 2018 World Cup, because such behavior would lead to single parent families.
Tamara Pletnyova, head of the nation’s families, women and children committee, said Even when Russian women marry foreigners the relationships often end badly. Women are often stranded abroad or in Russia but unable to get their children back, she said.
Thousands of football fans from 31 countries are travelling to the World Cup in Russia that kicks off on Thursday with an opening ceremony in the capital.
Pletnyova is a lawmaker for the KPRF Communist Party, a nominally opposition party that backs President Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin on most key issues.
Ms Pletnyova claimed her comments were not motivated by nationalism, but suggested it is better if children are born from parents of the same race.
“We must give birth to our children. These [mixed race] kids suffer and have suffered since Soviet times,” Ms Pletnyova told Govorit Moskva radio station.
“It’s one thing if they’re of the same race but quite another if they’re of a different race.
“I’m not a nationalist, but nevertheless I know that children suffer. They are abandoned, and that’s it, they stay here with mum,” she said.
Another lawmaker said foreign fans could bring viruses to the World Cup and infect Russians.
In comments to Govorit Moskva radio station, Alexander Sherin also said Russians should be careful in their interactions with foreigners as they might try to circulate banned substances at the tournament.
Fifa and the Russia 2018 organising committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Pletynova’s remarks.
>Juthy Saha
Russian Politician Warns Sex With Foreigners During World Cup
