(CNN) In under a year Russia will host the 2018 World Cup, arguably the world's biggest sporting event, and all eyes will be on a country which has grappled with hooliganism and racism in recent years.

But Alexey Smertin, Russia's anti-racism and discrimination inspector, has told CNN he is confident there will be no racist incidents at World Cup matches next year.

Asked how damaging it would be were there to be any incidents during games, the former Chelsea midfielder said: "It won't be. [There] won't be an incident."

Smertin, who made 55 international appearances for Russia, went on to guarantee the safety of fans during the World Cup and this month's Confederations Cup, saying: "The people who know me, they know how honest I was on the pitch. Why should I lie?"

A complicated picture

The World Cup will be held from June 14 to July 15 next year.

Players and fans from 32 countries will descend on the world's biggest country for the first World Cup to be held in Eastern Europe, but how accepting will Russia be of its visitors?

In recent years, a number of black footballers playing in Russia's top flight have complained of repeated and persistent racism.

Data provided by researchers at Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) and Russia-based SOVA show that racist incidents continue to occur at football matches in the country, though progress has been made.

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According to the report, there was a decrease in the number of racist incidents in and around stadiums during the 2016-17 season, compared with the 2015-16 football campaign.

Between June 2016 and May 2017, there were 89 reported incidents of discriminatory displays logged. In the 2015-16 season it was 101, while in 2014-15 there were 92 reported incidents.

Piara Powar, executive director of FARE, told CNN the picture for the 2018 World Cup was "very complicated."

"We won't predict that there will be problems as a country comes together, to be seen as a good host," he said.

"But incidents could take place, and we could see individuals attacked and a replication of incidents seen in Russian domestic football, with black players being targeted."

'Racism a global issue'

Two years ago, Brazil striker Hulk, who now plays in China, said he had encountered racism "almost every game" while playing for Zenit St. Petersburg.

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Zenit, in particular, has come under the spotlight in recent years. In 2012 a group of fans released a manifesto calling for non-white and gay players to be excluded from their team, a notice the club quickly distanced itself from.

In 2015, Smertin himself was criticized after saying racism in Russia did not exist.

"Racism in Russia is like fashion," he had told the BBC. "It comes from abroad, from different countries. Ten years ago, some fans may have given a banana to black guys -- it was just for fun."

Smertin told CNN he had since been learning about the issues.

"It's a global problem," he said. "I wouldn't say in this case Russia is a different country, that's why I was appointed.

"If it happens, it is individually or small groups compared to all population of Russia.

"It happens everywhere. I've been educating myself. I've been creating the team and I would like to create a public council for that -- people who are influential who can help me."

'People don't know that their acts hurt'

People in black face paint and carrying bananas parade in Socchi's streets

In May, at an official parade in Sochi, people in black face paint and carrying bananas paraded in the city's streets as part of a section dedicated to the Confederations Cup -- a FIFA tournament which acts as a precursor to next year's World Cup.

Held from June 17 to July 2 in various Russian cities, the tournament is an eight-nation event involving Portugal, Germany, Russia, Mexico, Cameroon, New Zealand, Chile and Australia.

In a statement, the Sochi city government said at the time that "by no means did the carnival parade intend to insult anyone."

Smertin described the incident as unfortunate.

"My role is to educate because some people don't know that their acts hurt people," he said.

"They don't do that sometimes on purpose, but they don't know that their acts hurt people and they need to know."

A FIFA first at Confederations Cup

Should discriminatory incidents occur at the Confederations Cup, FIFA -- football's governing body -- will use a three-step procedure for the first time at an official tournament.

Referees will have the authority to first stop the match and request a public announcement, then suspend the match until the behavior stops and, finally, if the behavior persists, abandon the match.

Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums St. Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg – Designed by late Japanese architect Kisho Kurosawa to look like a spaceship, the brand new St. Petersburg Stadium was built on Krestovsky Island where the 110,000-capacity Kirov Stadium used to stand. Hide Caption 1 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums St. Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg – Opened in April 2017, the stadium is equipped with a retractable roof and sliding pitch. Inside, the temperature can be regulated to a mild 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 C) all year round. Hide Caption 2 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums St. Petersburg Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, semifinal, third-place playoff

Legacy: The 67,000-seater will regain its former name -- Krestovsky Stadium -- and be home to 2007-08 UEFA Cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg. Hide Caption 3 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Ekaterinburg Stadium, Yekaterinburg – Located 1,000 miles east of Moscow on the site of the old Central Stadium -- once a prominent speed skating venue -- the Ekaterinburg Stadium has retained its original Soviet neo-Classical pillars while adding modern refurbishments and temporary stands. Hide Caption 4 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Ekaterinburg Stadium, Yekaterinburg – The additional seats, constructed outside of the original stadium, loom dramatically at either end of the pitch in order to fulfill FIFA's minimum World Cup capacity of 35,000. Recent inspection reports have shown the temporary stands "fully comply with all safety and security requirements," according to a FIFA spokesperson. Hide Caption 5 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Ekaterinburg Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage

Legacy: FC Ural, one of Russia's oldest clubs newly promoted to the country's top tier, will continue to use the stadium for its home games. After the World Cup, the capacity will be reduced and it will once again be known as Central Stadium.

Hide Caption 6 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Fisht Stadium, Sochi – The Fisht Stadium held the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics and is already well-equipped for the demands of a major international football tournament. Hide Caption 7 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Fisht Stadium, Sochi – Named after Mount Fisht, a peak in the nearby Caucasus mountain range, the arena's roof was designed to resemble a snow-capped summit. Hide Caption 8 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Fisht Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals

Legacy: The 47,700-capacity venue will stage training camps and competitive matches for the Russian national team. Hide Caption 9 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow – It was home to the 1980 Summer Olympics, 2008 Champions League final, 2013 Athletics World Championships and no shortage of musical tours, from Michael Jackson to the Rolling Stones... Hide Caption 10 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow – Now the Luzhniki Stadium has been refurbished -- with the athletics track removed and two extra tiers added -- while preserving its historical facade. Hide Caption 11 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Luzhniki Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, semifinal, final

Legacy: The 81,006-seater will retain its status as the country's leading football stadium, hosting competitive international matches and friendlies. Hide Caption 12 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad – Built in the heart of Kaliningrad on Oktyabrsky Island -- a section of land sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania left largely untouched until its selection as a World Cup venue -- the Kaliningrad stadium is loosely based on the design of Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena. Hide Caption 13 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad – Kaliningrad Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage

Legacy: The 35,000-seater stadium will have its capacity reduced by 10,000 and be home to second-tier side FC Baltika Kaliningrad. A new residential development will be built around it featuring parks, quays and embankments alongside the Pregola river. Hide Caption 14 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don – Located about 20 miles from the Sea of Azov in south eastern Russia, the brand new Rostov Arena is 51m tall -- as high as the Niagra Falls. Hide Caption 15 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Rostov Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16

Legacy: As one of the first major projects built on the southern bank of the Don River, architects hope the 45,000-seater stadium will attract a flow of people and investment from the north. It will also host Russian Premier League side FC Rostov's home fixtures. Hide Caption 16 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Volgograd Arena, Volgograd – Built at the foot of the towering Mamayev Kurgan World War II memorial "The Motherland Calls" (pictured), the Volgograd Stadium will replace the demolished Central Stadium and feature an open lattice exterior structure. Hide Caption 17 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Volgograd Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage

Legacy: The 45,000-seater will become the home ground of second-tier side FC Rotor Vologograd. Hide Caption 18 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Spartak Stadium, Moscow – Built to host Spartak Moscow -- the "people's team" which has made do without its own venue for almost a century -- the 43,298-seater Spartak Stadium will go on proving its worth long after the World Cup. The arena's facade features hundreds of red and white diamonds representing Spartak's logo, which change color when the Russian national side plays there. Hide Caption 19 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Spartak Stadium World Cup schedule: Last 16

Legacy: As well as hosting Spartak Moscow and the national side, the stadium will provide the center piece for a new residential development. Hide Caption 20 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod – Situated at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers, the new Nizhny Novgorod Stadium is designed to resemble the shimmering waters that surround it. The 45,331-capacity arena sits close to the Alexander Nevsky cathedral, and with views across to the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. Hide Caption 21 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Nizhny Novgorod Stadium World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals

Legacy: The stadium was intended to become the permanent home of Russian club FC Volga, replacing the Lokomotiv Stadium after the tournament. However, Volga dissolved because of financial troubles in June 2016. Instead, second tier Olympiets Nizhny Novgorod will call the new build home. Hide Caption 22 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Samara Arena, Samara – Constructed in a southeastern region renowned for its aerospace sector, the 44,807-seater Samara Arena is designed to resemble an otherworldly glass dome. By night, the whole structure will light up. Hide Caption 23 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Samara Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals

Legacy: The 44,918-capacity stadium will be known as Cosmos Arena, hosting Russian second-tier side FC Krylia Sovetov Samara. Hide Caption 24 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Featuring a striking orange, red and white exterior, construction on the 44,442-seater Mordovia Arena began in 2010. Initially hoped to be completed two years later for the 1,000th anniversary of the Mordovian people's unification with Russia's other ethnic groups, it was eventually finished in April 2018. Hide Caption 25 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Mordovia Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage

Legacy: With a population of just 300,000, Saransk is the smallest of the 2018 World Cup host cities. After the tournament, some of the stadium's temporary structures will be demolished, reducing the capacity to 25,000. It will become the home of third-tier side FC Mordovia. Hide Caption 26 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Kazan Arena, Kazan – Designed by the same firm of architects as Wembley and Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Kazan Arena was constructed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. Viewed from above, it is said to resemble a water-lily on the banks of the adjacent Kazanka river. The front of the stadium is dominated by a high definition screen with a total area of 3,700 meters -- the largest of its kind in the world. Hide Caption 27 of 28 Photos: Eleven cities, 12 stadiums Kazan Arena World Cup schedule: Group stage, last 16, quarterfinals

Legacy: Opened in 2013, it will continue to be home to Rubin Kazan, Russian Premier League champions in 2008 and 2009. Group stage, last 16, quarterfinalsOpened in 2013, it will continue to be home to Rubin Kazan, Russian Premier League champions in 2008 and 2009. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news and features Hide Caption 28 of 28

Anti-discrimination observers will also be deployed to all matches, while FIFA will hold its annual "Anti-Discrimination Days" during the Confederations Cup semifinals on June 28-29.

Three years ago, the Russian government's so-called "Spectator Law" came into force, regulating behavior inside stadiums and prohibiting paraphernalia and symbols of a political, Nazi, extremist or provocative nature.

In their recent report, FARE said incidents of discrimination and displays of neo-Nazi symbolism were not limited to stadiums but "widely accepted within online fan forums, social media outlets" while organized far-right groups engaged in "violent hate crimes" outside stadiums before and after matches.

"Although the so-called 'Spectator Law' came into force in Russia in January 2014 regulating fan behavior inside the stadiums, there is so far little evaluation of its practical implementation," read the report.

"The law addresses individual offenses committed inside stadiums but, given the organized nature of far-right groups, it is unlikely that the law could challenge the overall direction of travel of the Russian fan scene."