A church member has recently called out the latest fashion choices of the players at this year's World Cup, the International Business Times reported. Citing a column by Russian Orthodox priest Alexander Shumsky for Christian website Russian People's Line, he had branded the tournament as a "homosexual abomination" simply because of the choice of shoes and the haircut styles, especially from the Russian delegation.
"Wearing pink or blue shoes, [the squad] might as well wear women's knickers or a bra," Shumsky wrote.
Shumsky is referring to the varied colored footwear, of which some made by Puma. Nike and Adidas also launched non-traditional designs in the hopes of standing out at least in the tournament pitch.
Shumsky also saw fault in the Russian players' hairstyles, and even called them "unthinkable."
The column fell short on building a solid argument on how the World Cup itself is opposing Christianity, but it was clear that Shumsky has joined Russian team coach Fabio Capello's critics to lambast his and his team's performance in the football tournament.
"[I am] that the Russian players have failed and, by the grace of God, no longer participate in this homosexual abomination."
IBTimes said Russia was only able to come up with two draws and a loss at this year's World Cup. Some critics have been calling for Capello to return at least some of the money he has been paid for to lead the team in the tournament. Capello is currently ranked as the highest paid manager at an annual pay of £6.6 million at the World Cup.
Russia, who has won rights to host the 2022 World Cup, is controversial for its recent signing into law a legislation that clamps down gay propaganda. The law came at the time when it played host to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in February. However, Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko clarified the application of the law to the Olympians and said at the time, "An athlete of non-traditional sexual orientation isn't banned from coming to Sochi. But if he goes out into the streets and starts to propagandize, then of course he will be held accountable."
