FIFA 17 could be banned in Russia after MPs suggested it was responsible for promoting “gay propaganda”.

The game’s manufacturer, EA Sports, recently introduced a feature allowing gamers to choose a rainbow-coloured kit for their virtual players in support of LGBT rights group Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign to combat homophobia in sport.

But Russian MPs have written to the country’s communications watchdog to suggest this is a breach of a 2013 law that banned “gay propaganda”.

In the letter, MPs from the President Vladimir Putin's United Russia Party and the Communist Party wrote: “"The FIFA multiplatform video game, developed by EA Canada, invites users to support the action of the English Premier League’s "Rainbow shoelaces" action - a large-scale campaign in support of the LGBT community.

“Meanwhile, according to the law the ‘protection of children from information harmful to their health and development’…includes information that promotes non-traditional sexual relations.”

Valery Rashkin, a Communist Party MP, told Izvestia newspaper: "It is necessary to verify the computer game FIFA 17 for compliance with the stated age group and [ensure] the game [is] in accordance with Russian legislation".

EA Sports may have to make changes to the game or face "the relevant restrictive measures", Mr Rashkin added.

Russia introduced the controversial "gay propaganda" law in 2013 in the face of widespread international opposition.

The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe Show all 15 1 /15 The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 15. Italy Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 14. Macedonia Processed by: Helicon Filter; The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 13. Poland Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 12. Liechtenstein The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 11. Lithuania The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 10. Latvia This content is subject to copyright. The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 9. San Marino The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 8. Moldova The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 7. Belarus Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 6. Ukraine Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 5. Monaco The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 4. Turkey Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 3. Armenia The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 2. Russia Getty Images The top 15 worst countries to be gay in Europe 1. Azerbaijan Norway's Mette B. Bjerknaes competes during the Powerboat race on July 6, 2013 in Baku. Baku hosts the second race F2 World Championship 2013. The 2 mile course is designed just in front of the Baku Boulevard facing the Caspian Sea. AFP PHOTO / TOFIK BABAYEV (Photo credit should read TOFIK BABAYEV/AFP/Getty Images) Getty/AFP

Amnesty International told The Independent the criticism of FIFA 17 was the latest example of Russian “intolerance” of gay people.

Denis Krivosheev, the charity’s Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director said: “Given the extremely hostile environment for LGBTI people in Russia, this isn’t entirely surprising but it’s a worrying sign that Russia’s official culture is growing ever more intolerant of all sexual and political non-conformity.

“With the Russian World Cup only 18 months away, it really is time for the authorities to roll back their homophobic legislation and discriminatory practices, and to set about hosting the world’s premier football tournament in a spirit of tolerance and hospitality toward all.”

Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which involved footballers being given rainbow-coloured laces to wear during matches, aims to end homophobia in football. There are no openly gay male professional footballers in the UK, despite studies suggesting one in ten British men are gay.