Russia 2018: LGBT members face ‘significant risk’ at World Cup, UK Foreign Office warns

British football fans traveling to Russia for the World Cup have been warned about threats of racism and violence by Russian “hooligans,” including “heightened risks” to members of the LGBT community.

A UK Foreign Affairs Committee report released on Friday said LGBT individuals are at “significant risk,” as they “not only face the risk of violence from vigilante groups, but lack adequate protection from the state.”

Pride in Football, an alliance of LGBT fan groups, provided the Foreign Affairs Committee with two threatening emails they had received ahead of the World Cup. One included an image of a man threateningly wielding a knife.

A Human Rights and Democracy Report published by the UK Foreign Office in 2016 said LGBT members were at risk of “persecution and violence” in Russia, with the government “taking little action to combat homophobia.”

The Foreign Office’s travel advice to Russia includes warnings of “racially motivated attacks,” adding that travelers of Asian or Afro-Caribbean descent may “attract some unwanted attention in public places and should take care.”

Up to 10,000 British nationals are estimated to attend the tournament which begins on June 14, when Russia faces Saudi Arabia in Moscow. England’s first match is against Tunisia on June 18 in Volgograd, roughly 1,000 kilometers south of Moscow.

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Published 7:27 AM EDT, Fri June 8, 2018

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Curbing abuse on the pitch

The Russian Football Association was fined roughly $30,000 by FIFA last month, for racist chants during a friendly played against France in St. Petersburg. Manchester United star Paul Pogba was one of the players subject to monkey chants, according to the Associated Press.

England defender Danny Rose, recently revealed to the Evening Standard newspaper that he asked his family not to travel to Russia “because of racism and anything else that may happen.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to CNN’s request for comment.

To combat further incidents, FIFA is introducing a “dedicated anti-discrimination monitoring system” for all matches in Russia, according to a statement on Thursday.

The system will enable match referees to “stop, suspend, or even abandon” a match “in case discriminatory behavior does not cease.”

“We have also worked together with several participating teams on preventive and educational measures, including, of course, the hosts Russia,” FIFA’s head of sustainability and diversity Federico Addiechi said in the statement.

Geoff Hurst, 1966 —

Did it cross the line? With the scores between England and West Germany level at 2-2 in the 1966 World Cup final, striker Geoff Hurst's shot hit the crossbar and deflected downwards. At first a goal wasn't given, but then allowed after consultation between the referee and linesman. The game ended 4-2, securing England's first and only World Cup victory.

Pele, 1970 —

Brazil's 100th World Cup goal, celebrated wildly by Pele, who jumped into the air with joy as his side took the lead in the final against Italy. The game ended 4-1 to Brazil -- their third World Cup victory.

Dutch great Johan Cruyff scored three goals in the 1974 World Cup, twice against Argentina in the second round and then against Brazil in a 2-0 win that sent Holland through to the final.

Harald Schumacher, 1982 —

An ugly moment. German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher clattered into France's Patrick Battiston, who was through on goal, knocking him unconscious at the 1982 semifinal in Spain. Schumacher was unmoved as his opponent was stretchered off the field.

Diego Maradona, 1986 —

"The Hand of God" needs little introduction. England vs. Argentina, the quarterfinal of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. A mis-hit clearance was heading into the hands of goalkeeper Peter Shilton, before a leaping Diego Maradona intercepted it with his hand, punching the ball into the net. The game ended 2-1, with Argentina going on to win the World Cup.

Roger Milla, 1990 —

One of the greatest ever World Cup celebrations. Roger Milla turned on the style at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, which saw his Cameroon team reach the quarterfinals -- the furthest an Africa team has ever gone in the competition.

Andres Escobar, 1994 —

An own-goal by Colombia's Andres Escobar had tragic consequences. Less than a week after seeing his team eliminated from the competition due to his error, Escobar was shot dead on the streets of Medellin, a murder linked to drug lords who lost huge amounts of money on the result.

A Dutch master at work ... Dennis Bergkamp stops Frank de Boer's pass dead, transferring the ball to his left foot as he twists past Argentina's Roberto Ayala. His third touch, again with his right boot, flicks it past Carlos Roa, the keeper. Three perfect touches to take the ball from a speculative punt upfield to what remains one of the ultimate moments of skill ever displayed in a World Cup.

2006, Zinedine Zidane —

A rush of blood to the head. With the 2006 World Cup final moving into extra-time, goalscorer Marco Materazzi muttered a few words to France legend Zinedine Zidane, who returned with a headbutt to the Italian's chest. In his last ever professional match, Zidane was red carded and Italy went on to win on penalties.

Luis Suarez, 2010 —

Another South American -- this time Uruguayan Luis Suarez -- another handball. This one, however, was less subtle. Suarez's hands prevented Ghana from bagging a winner in extra-time. He saw red, and Asamoah Gyan's whacked the resulting penalty against the bar. Uruguay went on to win on penalties.

Brazil vs. Germany, 2014 —

One of the biggest humiliations the World Cup has ever seen. Brazil has struggled for form throughout the tournament, which was being played on home soil for the first time in 64 years, and met an impressive German side in the semifinals. But few could have predicted what was to follow: a 7-1 demolition by the visitors, who went on to lift the World Cup trophy.

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Political tensions high

Political tensions since the poisoning of former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal, in Salisbury, England in early March were highlighted alongside the threat of terror in the Foreign Affairs Committee’s report.

“You should be aware of the possibility of anti-British sentiment or harassment,” the report said, adding that displaying the English flag in public “could bring increased attention and risk.”

The risk of a terror attack during the World Cup is “very likely,” according to the Foreign Office, “while groups aligned with al Qaeda and Daesh continue to call for attacks.”

Despite the multitude of warnings, the UK Foreign Office said the risks “fall short of the level where it would be appropriate to advise UK nationals not to go to Russia.”

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Last month British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson concurred. “We are not actively trying to dissuade (fans preparing to go to Russia for the World Cup), as we do not think that would be right,” Johnson told MPs.

“It is up to the Russians,” he added. “it is on their honor to guarantee the safety, not just of British fans, but of fans from around the world.”