But FIFA told CNN Tuesday
that it was seeking clarification on the adoption of new laws in Russia
which "prohibit propaganda on non-traditional sexual relations" around
minors.
The legislation also bans
symbols symbols such as rainbow flags and has led to calls for the 2014
Sochi Winter Olympics and the 2018 World Cup to be boycotted.
Alexey Sorokin, CEO of the latter competition, defended the new laws, saying they had been misinterpreted.
"Would you like a World
Cup where naked people are running around displaying their
homosexuality? The answer to that is quite obvious."
"The Olympics and World
Cup are not a stage for various views -- not for Nazis, not for any
other ways of life. It should be about football and nothing else."
FIFA said that its
statutes had "zero tolerance against discrimination based, among other,
on sexual orientation" and trusted that the 2018 hosts would deliver on
their promise to provide all visitors and fans with a warm welcome.
"FIFA is firmly
convinced that the staging of the World Cup can contribute to uniting
people and having a positive social impact," it added.
The International
Olympic Committee (IOC), under pressure to act ahead of next year's
Winter Games, has publicly opposed any moves to stage boycotts, but told
it is keeping a watching brief on developments in Russia.
"This legislation has
just been passed into law and it remains to be seen whether and how it
will be implemented, particularly as regards the Games in Sochi," it
said.
"To that end, the IOC
has received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia
that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in
the Games."
Russia won the right to
host the 2018 World Cup at a vote in December 2010 and pledged to build
13 new stadiums as part of a near $5 billion plan.
Billions will also be
spent on improving infrastructure for the expected influx of tourists
and football fans for the global competition.
