The booklets, which were handed out Tuesday at the launch of a course on Russian culture, were meant for players, coaches, executives and reporters who would be heading to Russia for the 2018 World Cup in June, Clarín Deportes reported.
Though AFA officials realized the mishap prior to the start of the course and quickly ripped out the pages, Catullo was able to snap a few pictures of the various romantic suggestions put forth by the football association.
— Nacho Catullo (@nachocatullo) May 15, 2018
Seen in photos provided by Catullo, tips for hitting it off with Russian women include making a good impression by staying clean and dressing well, not making them feel like objects and not being negative.
"Russian girls do not like to be seen as objects," one edifying suggestion begins. "Many men, because Russian women are beautiful, they just want to take them to bed. Maybe they also want it, but they are people who want to feel important and unique. The advice is to treat the woman who is in front of you as someone of value with their own ideas and desires. Pay attention to their values and personality. Do not ask stupid questions about sex. For Russians, sex is something very private and the subject is not discussed in public. (Maybe you do not believe me, but I know men who do it)."
There's more, folks. Like "don't be boring."
"Russian women hate boring men. If you can't offer any topics for discussion and you just think about what you are going to say after she finishes talking, that means you are not enjoying the moment and thereby losing the 'connection' with her. Remember, you are a foreigner and you may talk about your native land, the way you live, or focus on interesting things that you've seen in your home country. It is crucial to engage her in the conversation, so try talking to her in most sincere and frank way."
It also stressed to not "ask stereotypical questions… so that she'll find it interesting to get to know you."
"Don't be shy" was another directive. "Russian women like it when men take initiative," according to the manual. "If you are not self-confident, it makes sense first to speak to other women, in order not to be too shy when you meet a Russian one." But then again, don't be a blowhard: Russian women "don't like it when one 'monopolizes' a conversation. You'd be better off then changing the way you behave, or if you feel nervous, just calm down: this is just a woman, nothing more."
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) May 16, 2018
With netizens roasting the AFA over the booklet, Alejandra Taraborelli, an official with the association's Department of Education, released an apology Wednesday, stating that the chapter was an "involuntary error."
"We regret that this mistake has overshadowed the importance of the day and the permanent educational activity provided by AFA, expressing our most sincere apologies to those who were affected by the publication, which in no way reflects the thinking of the Argentine Football Association, nor that of its President Claudio Tapia or any of its directors," it concluded.
The booklet, entitled "Russian Language and Culture," was put together by the Sports, Social Responsibility and Sustainability Commission of the AFA, according to Clarín Deportes.
Aside from Argentina, the only other South American countries that qualified for the tournament are Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Uruguay. The tournament runs from June 14 to July 15.
