Argentina's Football Federation is trying to contain an embarrassing scandal after it handed out a manual that includes advice on how to seduce Russian women during the World Cup.

The manual was handed out to journalists, players and coaches during a free course about the Russian language and culture organised by the national federation. It included a section under the title: "What to do to have a chance with a Russian girl."

The advice included lines like: "Make sure you're clean, smell good and dress well."

Muy moderno el manual de estilo de la AFA sobre el Mundial pic.twitter.com/aWT4FrfCie — Nacho Catullo (@nachocatullo) May 15, 2018

It also said that Russian women don't like to be seen as objects. "Because Russian women are beautiful many men only want to sleep with them ... the advice is to treat the woman in front of you as if she is someone of value," it says.

The AFA said on Wednesday that the material was included by mistake by the teacher and that it does not reflect the values of the federation or its directives. It also said that it has been removed. Local reports say that the material was taken from a blog about Russian women.

Argentina has been at the forefront of a grassroots movement to fight violence against women that has spread worldwide.

The manual's advice has triggered criticism from women rights activists and others after it went viral on social media.