A Russian Orthodox Priest has claimed that the World Cup is an abomination because players wear brightly-coloured shoes.

Writing in his column on Russian People’s Line, Priest Alexander Shumsky claimed that players are promoting a “gay rainbow” by wearing green, pink, yellow and blue shoes.

He said: “Wearing pink or blue shoes, [the players] might as well wear women’s panties or a bra. “The liberal ideology of globalism clearly wants to oppose Christianity with football. I’m sure of it.

“Therefore I am glad that the Russian players have failed and, by the grace of God, no longer participate in this homosexual abomination.”

Russia exited the competition in the group stages, failing to win any of their three matches.

The priest also criticized the “unthinkable” hairstyles of some of the players in the tournament.

Last week, FIFA’s anti-discrimination boss criticised its lack of action against homophobic chants at World Cup matches. Fans of both Brazil and Mexico fans were heard chanting homophobic insults, but FIFA dropped its investigation against Mexico, concluding that anti-gay chants by the country’s fans were “not considered insulting”. (h/t Moscow Times)