The current climate prompted FIFA's anti-discrimination advisors, the Football Against Racism in Europe Network (Fare), to produce an unprecedented diversity guide for travelling fans from minority groups, including the LGBT+ community. Human Rights Watch International said, "since 2012, the government has unleashed the worst human rights crackdown in Russia's contemporary history," adding that "Russian police consistently fail to prevent harassment and attacks and to investigate anti-LGBT crimes". Last year reports emerged suggesting at least 100 presumed gay men were detained and tortured in Chechnya.Ī recent study from the Russian based Centre for Independent Social Research found hate crimes against the LGBT+ community had doubled since the law came into effect. In 2013, Russia introduced a "gay propaganda" law, which bans the "promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships" to children, and the effects of the law have been felt widely across the nation. "A country which has laws and vilifies its LGBT community is not the best example of a nation who should be celebrating this global sporting event," he said. He is also concerned authorities may not act to protect supporters should they be the victims of homophobic abuse. Roppolo is a former president, and current player with Sydney Rangers FC, the city's first standalone gay men's football club. Socceroos fan Joseph Roppolo has followed Australia to the last three World Cup finals.