FIFA 17's rainbow kit provokes 'gay propaganda' accusations in Russia
A new in-game rainbow uniform supporting LGBTQ people has been on the receiving end of homophobia and construed as "gay propaganda" in Russia.
The colourful kit was provided to players of popular soccer video game FIFA 17 until Nov. 28, as part of the game's online "Ultimate Team" component.
It was created in tandem with the English Premier League's promotion of the Rainbow Laces campaign by UK charity Stonewall, which encourages LGBTQ inclusivity in sport.
But it hasn't been received well by some Russian politicians, who want action against the game for violating the country's law against gay propaganda, according to The Guardian.
Since 2013, it has been illegal to promote "non-traditional family values" in the country.
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The politicians have complained to the state's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, asking to investigate if the pro-LGBTQ campaign is in compliance with Russian law.
United Russia MP Irina Rodnina, a former gold medal-winning figure skater, told Izvestia she wants authorities 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," she told the newspaper.
Following the investigation, Communist MP Valery Rashkin told Izvestia he wants authorities to order EA Sports to "introduce changes to the programming code or the age classification of this information product, and if it refuses, adopt corresponding restrictive measures".
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Homophobic tweets calling the kit a "shame" have also been sent to EA Sports, as well as reports of gamers quitting when up against another player with the kit in FIFA 17.
It's not the first time the FIFA series has been up against toxic gamers when trying to promote equality and inclusivity.
Last year's FIFA 16 finally added female soccer players to the game, leading to an outpouring of misogynistic comments online.
Haters, it's 2016.
Mashable has contacted EA Sports for comment.
