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Vladimir Putin has overruled a politician who said Russian women should not have sex with travelling football fans during the World Cup.

Tamara Pletnyova, head of Russia's families, women and children committee, warned Russian women not to sleep with foreign football fans because they are likely to 'suffer' as single parents.

But her remarks were dismissed today by Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Mr Peskov dismissed concerns that Russian women should avoid sex with visitors, saying: "All countries accuse each other of racism, homophobia.

"This has nothing to do with the World Cup. As for the women of Russia, they can handle anything themselves."

Ms Pletnyova said yesterday: "We must give birth to our children.

"These [mixed race] kids suffer and have suffered since Soviet times.

"It's one thing if they're of the same race but quite another if they're of a different race.

“I'm not a nationalist, but nevetheless I know that children suffer. They are abandoned, and that's it, they stay here with mum,"

Ms Pletnyova's remark was also dismissed by Russian parliament member Mikhail Degtyaryov

State news agency Tass reported that he said: "The more love stories we have connected to the world championship, the more people from different countries fall in love, the more children are born, the better."

Mr Degtyaryov is the head of a parliamentary committee overseeing sports.

He said Russia is welcoming "fans from all countries, skin colors, all religions, all genders and all (sexual) orientations."

Inna Zhirkova, 28, wife of ex-Chelsea star Yuri Zhirkov, backed the call for a sex ban.

She said: 'I totally agree that during the World Cup it is better not to have any sexual relations with foreigners. We are decent girls.'