England fans have been banned from entering World Cup stadiums in Qatar wearing crusader costumes in a bid to avoid offending the country's Muslim population.
England supporters often attend matches dressed as English patron Saint George, wearing chain mail and helmets, with several making the trip out to Qatar in full attire. But some were seemingly turned away by stadium officials ahead of England's Group B opener against Iran on Monday, with fans asked to be mindful of upsetting Qataris.
Fans wearing the costumes are at risk offending locals due to their historical context, with the bloodiest and most brutal crusades taking taking place for nearly 200 years between 1095 and 1291 when Christian armies fought to take control of Jerusalem and the holy land from the Muslim states that ruled it.
