World Cup 2018: Russian politician urges citizens not to 'fornicate' with foreign football fans

The head of a Russian parliamentary committee has urged Russians to abstain from sex with foreign fans arriving for the World Cup.

Tamara Pletnyova told the Govorit Moskva radio station that such behaviour was likely to lead to single-parent families.

“There will be girls who meet men, and then they will give birth. Maybe they will get married, maybe they won’t. But the kids kids will suffer, just like they suffered [after the 1980s Olympics].”

Ms Pletnyova claimed her comments were not motivated by nationalism.

“It is one thing if the parents are of the same race; quite another if they are of different races,” she said. “I know that the kids suffer too, and they all stay with the mother.”

READ MORE: Morocco will complete proposed World Cup projects, bid chairman claims

READ MORE: Low shocked by Spain's Lopetegui 'bombshell'

READ MORE: Spain need spirit of 2008 to survive Lopetegui chaos

The politician chose not to mention the use of condoms.

Russia has the largest HIV epidemic in Europe, and the highest rates of increase in the world. More than half of new HIV infections in Russia occur through heterosexual sex, suggesting a transition from more traditional risk groups is underway.

By some estimates a million football fans will arrive in Russia for the tournament. Over two million tickets have been sold.