Russian MPs are seeking action against the Fifa 17 video game, perhaps to get one of the world's most played games–banned– as they claim it violates the country's law against gay propaganda.
Taking offence to the game developer EA Sports campaign– Rainbow Laces action– that is aimed at combating homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in football, Russian MPs sent a letter to the state communications oversight agency, complaining that the game which is rated all ages, is in violation of the 2013 law.
According to the 2013 law, such propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations can cause "harm to children's health and development", the letter said according to the Guardian.
Stonewall– UK-based LGBT rights group and founder of Rainbow Laces campaign, when it launched last month, stated that 72% of fans had heard anti-LGBT remarks at games over the past five years. EA sports backed the campaign by allowing players to obtain free rainbow-coloured uniforms for their virtual footballers in the game's ultimate team mode.
Even though the feature expired on November 28, parliamentarians believe that the game can be banned in Russia.
"(Authorities needed to) verify the possibility of distributing this game on the territory of the Russian Federation…Every state has its internal laws and order; they need to be obeyed" Irina Rodnina, United Russia MP and a former figure skater, who won three Olympic gold medals for the Soviet Union, was quoted saying to Izvestia newspaper.
Another Communist MP Valery Rashkin also said that authorities should order the game's developer, EA Canada, to "introduce changes to the programming code or the age classification of this information product, and if it refuses, adopt corresponding restrictive measures."
