Russian Lawmaker Warns Women About World Cup Romance
Why the fuss?
During a interview with Govorit Moskva radio, Tamara Pletneva, a 70‑year‑old Communist and head of the parliament’s family committee, urged Russian women to steer clear of getting involved with visiting World Cup supporters.
Her remarks were sparked by the idea that these encounters could lead to mixed‑race pregnancies and the prospect of single‑mother families—a concern she says is “bad for the kids.”
She compares to the 1980 Olympics
“You remember the Moscow Games, right? Local ladies met foreign players, got pregnant, and some of those kids ended up in one‑parent homes,” she explained. “If the children stay the same race as their mother it’s less of a problem, but if they’re mixed‑race it’s worse.”
What she calls her vision for Russia’s future
- “Let’s give birth to our own children.”
- “If they’re mixed‑race, they’re more likely to be dropped off and left with their mothers or shipped abroad.”
- “Women should marry Russian citizens.”
Reactions and backlash
Her comments sparked ridicule. On Twitter, radio journalist Tatyana Felgenhauer quipped: “Has Pletneva been reminded of FIFA’s anti‑racism campaign, ‘Say No to Racism’?”
She’s not new to controversy—she once criticized the #MeToo movement as “not necessary in Russia” because women don’t have to worry about being harassed if they don’t want it.
Bottom line: A call for caution amid the World Cup frenzy
In the end, the 70‑year‑old, with her eye on the nation’s birth rate, sees each new baby as a responsibility to keep the family “pure.” Whether or not her message resonates, it’s clear that the World Cup isn’t just about football; it’s also a cultural showdown for Russia’s future families.
