- Title: Soccer fans compete in their own World Cup
- Date: 29th June 2018
- Summary: ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA (JUNE 29, 2018) (REUTERS) AUSTRALIA TEAM IN YELLOW, HOLDING FLAG AND INFLATABLE KANGAROO, WALKING ONTO PITCH TEAMS WALKING ONTO PITCH, BAND PERFORMING TEAM ON PITCH SHADOW OF PLAYERS ON PITCH
- Embargoed: 13th July 2018 13:53
- Keywords: Russia World Cup St Petersbug fan football fan soccer soccer fans play World Cup
- Location: ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
- City: ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Sport,World Cup
- Reuters ID: LVA0018MD1VSZ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: With the 2018 World Cup in full swing in Russia, supporters from the host country and international fans on Friday competed in their own mini world championship tournament in St Petersburg.
The two-day competition among fans brings together lovers of the sport from all backgrounds on the sidelines of the World Cup.
Soccer fans from over ten countries formed national teams and donned soccer shirts reading 'Gentlefan' to have a chance at winning their own cup at Dinamo stadium.
The Fan World Cup, played under the banner of 'Football United', aims to shift negative perceptions of soccer tournaments and encourage greater interaction and friendship between fans.
Participants included fan teams from Australia, Italy, Nigeria and Peru, among others.
Edward Latypov, president of the Russia Unites fan organisation which is hosting the Fan World Cup, said the tournament was a good way of dissolving bad stereotypes about Russia and soccer fans as a whole.
Latypov said FIFA president Gianni Infantino had given his blessings for the formal organisation of this tournament and said he hoped it would encourage FIFA support at future World Cups. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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