Message from President of National Team Supporters Club “Russia Unites” Edward Latypov
22.11.2022As one of its most important functions, National Team Supporters Club “Russia Unites”
organizes events in collaboration with fans from other countries under the motto “Sport Unites”.
We have conducted dozens of matches and tournaments all over the world with fans from different
countries. We have organized the only World Fans Championship as a part of the cultural program
of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in St. Petersburg.
We have never been interested in politics, just like our colleagues – fans of the national teams
of other countries, who participated in our projects. An important condition for us to continue our
mission is the participation of Russian fans in international competitions. These tournaments are
the very place when we met our colleagues from other countries. Depriving Russian athletes of the
opportunity to participate in international tournaments means depriving Russian fans of a chance
of cultural exchange with fans from other countries.
I emphasize that it happens regardless political, religious or other views. This restriction is
based on national origin, which is an extreme form of segregation.
It is obvious that this total isolation was inspired by the idea to provoke a protest mood among
Russian fans against the authorities. However, this logic is questionable. The behavior of sports
officials is disappointing, as it leads to confrontation, violates all principles and rules:
Sport is out of politics
Sport is peace
Sport unites
Presumption of innocence
Prohibition of collective responsibility.
Therefore, I personally support the Appeal proposed by the Chairman of the Commission on
International Cooperation of the International Athlete Rights Association (IARA) Mr. A. Peskov.
Edward Latypov
President
of National Team Supporters Club
“Russia Unites”
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