Qatar, officials say, will loosen up for the World Cup. But to what extent?
A tiny autocratic Gulf state is anticipating about a million visitors across the next month, with a majority coming from liberal Western countries who would ordinarily be expecting an endless party.
And that has led to myriad concerns and warnings around what travelling fans can and cannot do – from the availability of alcohol to abhorrent laws targeting the LGBT community, to bounced cheques and burner phones.
Here Mirror Football provides clarity on what to expect for those on their way to Qatar – including potential punishments if strict laws are broken.
Alcohol
The topic that will concern most. Fans will be able to get their hands on a beer but it will not be cheap and it will only be available in designated areas such as sterile FIFA fan parks (from 6:30pm until 1am), select hotels where a bottle of standard lager will set you back about £12-15 and enticingly-named stadium compounds. The FIFA-run bars are also expected to only sell Budweiser.
It is illegal to consume alcohol in public and being caught doing so could lead to imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to 3,000 Qatari Riyal (£720), though some officials have suggested that police will only take action if a visitor is behaving in a particularly obnoxious manner. The legal drinking age is 21.
Clothing
Qatar’s tourist authority stresses that visitors must “show respect for local culture by avoiding excessively revealing clothing in public.” That means shoulders covered and no short shorts or skirts - unless, of course, you are at a hotel swimming pool.
Shopping malls and religious sites will enforce a stricter dress code with women expected to wear headscarves when entering the latter. “If you do not dress modestly, you may be asked to leave or be denied entry to these locations,” the UK’s Foreign Office says.
Drugs
An absolute no. The state takes a zero-tolerance approach to any drug use and anyone found guilty of smuggling could face the death penalty. The Football Supporters’ Association have warned that “if you get offered something in a bar, the person could be an undercover police officer.”
New scanners have been installed at Hamad International Airport that, officials say, will detect even residual amounts on baggage. That means fans bringing medication into the country are advised to have official documentation explaining it is prescribed. The likes of Valium and Xanax are categorised the same as Class A drugs without evidence from a doctor.
The Foreign Office’s message is unequivocal: “Don’t become involved with drugs.”
Fan IDs
Anyone making the trip should already have their Hayya card. It is effectively a fan ID, available as a phone app, that not only is required for access to the country but also into any stadium during the tournament. If you do not have one by now and plan to be there for the opening games, good luck …
LGBT laws
One of the biggest criticisms directed at Qatar, alongside its treatment of migrant workers, has been its attitude towards homosexuality.
Being gay in Qatar is an imprisonable offence and there have been mixed messages around welcoming LGBT fans to the tournament with some Qatari representatives saying fans can visit “without fear or repercussions” while others warned rainbow flags would be confiscated and gay supporters “will have to accept our rules.”
Sex outside of marriage
An offence carrying a potential prison sentence of up to seven years – although being caught is a whole other matter. Ordinarily unmarried people are banned from sharing a room but owing to capacity issues in Doha that is being relaxed. Public displays of affection may also bring unwanted attention. Any singletons heading to the tournaments hoping to find love, be warned.
Other things to be mindful of
Be careful with your data. While Qatar has said it is no longer mandatory to have the contact-tracing Ehteraz app, the Hayya fan ID app is a must – and that has led to fear of information stored on your phone being accessed by the state. Visitors are also urged to be extra careful when joining wifi networks.
Tory MP Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, has urged England and Wales fans to leave their devices at home and buy cheap burners.
“They have done some looking into those apps and those apps they are asking you to download can take control of your device, make phone calls without giving you permission and stop your phone from going into sleep mode,” she said.
Another warning for anyone still writing cheques is that should one bounce it could lead to surprisingly severe repercussions. The Foreign Office said it is a “financial crime [that] can result in imprisonment and/or a fine and deportation in Qatar.”
It may also be tricky to watch games in hotels because many are refusing to pay BeIn subscription fees, while British police have warned loud behaviour on the streets will bring unwanted attention from local forces.
“It’s a World Cup in a different part of the world with a very different culture, and I think one of my fears is that supporters not wishing to cause offence or cause problems may act in a way that inadvertently causes offence or draws attention,” Mark Roberts, the UK’s head of football policing, has said.
Fans are being urged to have private health insurance as care is expensive.
Who to contact in an emergency
The Foreign Office says it will have a consular presence in Doha and urge fans to contact +44 (0)20 7008 5000 or the local Embassy locally on +974 4496 2000 in an emergency.
The Qatari emergency services can be contacted by dialling 999.
And the FSA will have fan embassy teams across the state.
