Egypt are planning to base themselves at the Akhmat Arena during the World Cup ©FC Rostov

Calls have been made for FIFA to block Egypt's decision to base themselves in the Chechnyan capital Grozny during this summer's World Cup in Russia.

Egpyt's decision to base themselves at the Akhmat Arena for the duration of the tournament has caused uproar among human rights organisations.

The Human Rights Watch group say Chechnyan leader Ramzan Kadyrov "exerts a ruthless grip on the region where extrajudicial killings, torture and enforced disappearances are common".

They also claim that "there is near-total repression of critics, journalists, and LGBT people".

As reported by Associated Press, Human Rights Watch associate director Jane Buchanan has called on FIFA to reverse their decision.

"FIFA's decision to use Grozny for a World Cup team camp is absolutely shocking and outrageous," she said.

"FIFA should reverse their decision and move the training camp to another city.

"FIFA's decision will only legitimise the utterly abusive Kadyrov regime.

"It's a complete disgrace that FIFA wants to be associated with Kadyrov."

Vladimir Putin, left, and Ramzan Kadyrov, right, are believed to heavily respect each other ©Getty Images
Vladimir Putin, left, and Ramzan Kadyrov, right, are believed to heavily respect each other ©Getty Images

FIFA, however, have said there are no immediate human rights concerns in the region and have defended their decision to include Grozny on its original list of authorised bases.

"We currently have no grounds to believe that the choice of the Egyptian Football Association to locate its base camp in Grozny will cause particular adverse human rights impacts," a FIFA statement said.

"That said, FIFA will take appropriate measures in accordance with its human rights policy should this assessment change in the coming months."

It is believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin sees Kadyrov as the ideal man to control the region after a series of violent conflicts in the past.

Kadyrov is heavily involved in Chechnyan football and is the owner of local football club Akhmat Grozny, named after his father, where his nephew Khalid Kadyrov is on the team.

The club was managed for a short period in 2011 by The Netherlands' 1987 Ballon d'Or winner Ruud Gullit.

The Chechen leader has been involved in numerous football controversies in the past including shouting at a referee through the stadium public address system during a Russian Premier League match between Terek Grozny [Akhmat Grozny’s former name] and Rubin Kazan in 2013.

Kadyrov has also managed to attract some of football’s most famous players, including Brazilian FIFA World Cup winners Ronaldinho, Cafu and Romario, to play in exhibition matches in the region in a bid to help promote his regime.