What are fans allowed and not allowed to do while in Qatar for the World Cup?

This time, though, fans are questioning whether additional lighthearted instances of celebration and happiness could be endangered by regional regulations.

An example of why supporters are confused came in early October when a viral poster on Twitter showed Qatar should refrain from immodesty and alcohol consumption, dating, and homosexuality to show respect to visitors.

Some spectators at this World Cup remain uncertain about the permissible actions, but the extensive dissemination of information highlights the lingering confusion among fans regarding their rights and limitations. The poster, initially denounced as “factually incorrect” by Qatar’s tournament organizers, was eventually revealed to be the creation of a Qatari citizen group rather than an official entity.

More disinfo about the Qatar World Cup. This infographic being shared thousands of times – by many accounts. No, alcohol hasn’t been banned – in fact drinking rules have been relaxed – neither has music, dating, loud noises or profanity. Thnx @NesibeHicret for the heads up pic.twitter.com/NSwTeKYMDq

— Marc Owen Jones (@marcowenjones) October 6, 2022

To offer some clarification, The Athletic has reviewed the regulations of Qatar to specify precisely what will be allowed during the competition.

Alcohol

It could be the biggest departure point from any previous tournament. While this World Cup will not be a ‘dry’ event, the availability of alcohol will be significantly reduced. It will be interesting to see the major effects this has on fan behavior, especially with plans still being finalized by authorities just a week before the opening game.

Organizers have confirmed that alcohol will be available in “specific sections within stadiums” during the tournament, as stated in September. Nevertheless, only non-alcoholic beverages will be permitted within view of the field, similar to Premier League games. This will mark the inaugural World Cup hosted by a Muslim country where alcohol is not widely accessible, but rather exclusively served in authorized establishments like certain hotels and restaurants.

The following day, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy a festival called ‘Arcadia Spectacular’ in the capital city of Doha, where they can indulge in alcohol between 5am and 10am. This event will feature internationally renowned DJs and artists, and will take place in a 40,000-capacity fan zone. Additionally, the ‘Arcadia Spectacular’ festival will start at 6.30pm, allowing fans to enjoy drinks in a beautiful and lively atmosphere.

Authorized hotel bars and restaurants will still be allowed to serve alcoholic beverages.

You must be at least 21 years old to purchase alcohol at any of the authorized establishments.

There are multiple limitations to be mindful of.

Drinking in public areas outside licensed establishments is strictly prohibited. The UK foreign office advises that this could result in a fine of up to 3,000 Riyals or a prison sentence of up to six months.

He did not provide any further details on this. Nasser Al-Khater, the chief organizer of the tournament, said that fans could be taken to a sober place if they were drunk. He mentioned this in an interview with Sky News in October.

Transporting alcohol – even if it is sealed – is also not allowed.

Drugs

When a citizen of their country is detained on drugs-related charges, embassies have typically been involved. In Qatar, there is zero tolerance for possession or use, regardless of whether it involves the supply of drugs.

An individual who is apprehended smuggling drugs into the country could potentially be sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment, along with a monetary penalty ranging from 100,000 (approximately £24,000) to 300,000 riyals (approximately £70,000).

Offenses committed repeatedly will also be taken into account when determining convictions received outside of Qatar. Repeat offenders will face the possibility of the death penalty, at the extreme end of the scale, or life imprisonment.

There is minimal distinction between classifications of substances, with marijuana ownership being handled just as severely as possession of cocaine or heroin.

E-cigarettes are prohibited and cannot even be imported into the nation. In a slightly distinct classification, tobacco consumption is permitted in Qatar, but it is prohibited in certain locations.

It is common to see fans in the UK taking off their shirts when celebrating in stadiums, for example, during the World Cup. This action appears to go against the conservative dress code of Qatari society, raising questions about the behavior of fans within the World Cup stadiums.

This is something that could be policed by authorities — the implementation of these laws is expected to heavily depend on the context, for example, families walking shirtless around the street in the spur of the moment after seeing your team score at the top of the stadium.

The uniformity of their actions is not assured, even though the police, comprised of personnel from various countries, have been instructed to govern the tournament with a gentle approach.

The organizers suggest that reducing prices could decrease the prevalence of activities such as alcohol and beer-throwing in the air, which are explicitly banned and frowned upon. They also suggest including local families in the fan zones to remind supporters to refrain from engaging in such activities.

Offensive or political messaging is prohibited — these must undergo prior approval from the national association or World Cup organizers, however, large banners will be permitted.

Although musical instruments that are smaller than 60cm x 40cm are permitted, they are prohibited from “disturbing” the occasion.

Intimate relationships

One of the main arguments against Qatar hosting a World Cup is the severe punishment of up to three years in prison, along with a ban on homosexuality.

As long as they abstained from public demonstrations of affection, anyone was invited to the event. Hassan Al-Thawadi, the leader of the Supreme Committee for organizing the World Cup, faced criticism for his statement in 2013.

However, Mark Bullingham, the chief of the English Football Association, stated in September that fans of England’s LGBT+ community would not be arrested for public displays of affection such as kissing or holding hands during the tournament.

The government of Qatar announced that it will now permit unmarried couples, regardless of their sexuality, to share hotel rooms, even though sex between unmarried couples is not allowed.

Three gay newlywed couples, pretending to be heterosexual, contacted hotels on FIFA’s official list but were denied reservations. Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian reporters asked more than 20 hotels on the list to avoid publicly demonstrating their sexuality. However, they found three hotels that refused to accept their reservation attempts. This occurred in May of this year.

To ensure compliance with the Sustainable Sourcing Code, all 100 hotels in Qatar that will host football fans, players, officials, and other key stakeholders will be required to adhere to it. A spokesperson for the tournament organizers in Qatar assured that this matter will be taken care of prior to the commencement of the games.

His comments were criticized by several anti-discrimination bodies and groups. Abdullah Abdulaziz al-Ansari, a senior security leader in Qatar, claimed that it would protect them from violence by anti-LGBT+ fans, and said that rainbow flags could be confiscated from supporters. This happened in April.

Limitations on sexual behavior extend beyond just homosexuality.

The law in Qatar states that whoever engages in extramarital sex with a female over the age of 16, without her consent and under duress or compulsion, shall also be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to seven years.

If the individual being accused practices Islam, it could lead to a penalty of flogging, where a common consequence is receiving 100 lashes.

Extra-marital intercourse regulations have attempted females who report sexual aggression in various instances. Females, who are disproportionately impacted by their enforcement, present hazards that these regulations disclosed on by The Athletic last month.

If individuals do not possess a marriage certificate, they may encounter difficulties in obtaining essential healthcare services, such as emergency birth control or specialized antibiotics, in the event of sexual violence.

A document being circulated on social media, featuring FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 branding, proposes that women who report rape or sexual harassment/violence will not encounter any allegations.

However, the document was not created or authorized by the Supreme Committee or any other authority in Qatar, as stated by the Supreme Committee in response.

Protests

Travel enthusiasts planning to demonstrate against Qatari regulations may put themselves at risk.

According to The Athletic’s exclusive report in June, individuals who engage in “inciting public sentiment” could potentially be sentenced to five years in prison under Qatari legislation.

Amnesty International told The Athletic that the “vague” terminology of the law, which was strengthened in January 2020, “could silence peaceful protest”.

The penal code of article 136 encompasses individuals impacted by the recent legislation: “Individuals who disseminate, release, or reissue untrue or partial gossip, declarations, or information, or provocative propaganda, within the country or internationally, with the intention of detrimentally affecting national interests, inciting public sentiment, or violating the societal or governmental structure of the nation.”

Offenders may face a maximum punishment of five years in jail and a fine of 100,000 Qatari riyals (approximately £24,000).

The law has a broad range, although authorities are uncertain if Qatar will impose the same level of punishment on foreigners as it does on its own citizens. The government seldom issues licenses to demonstrators who wish to engage in peaceful protests, which are required to be obtained from the Interior Ministry.

However, laws are not limited to physical protests but also encompass “cybercrime” and “printing & publications”.

The Cybercrimes Law of 2014 punishes the dissemination of false online “news” with a maximum prison sentence of three years, which includes posts that violate social principles or slander and insult others, using terminology that is vague and similar to the penal code.

Supporters who are, for instance, disseminating a fanzine could likewise be impacted. This incorporates banners or decals on surfaces and furthermore applies to fans who distribute pamphlets, as the statute declares that “no publications printed in or imported into Qatar may be sold or distributed without written consent”.

The genuineness of the document does not acknowledge the Supreme Committee, nonetheless, the branded document circulating on social media implied that “individuals participating in public demonstrations will not be approached, apprehended, or charged unless the protest poses a security concern in the vicinity”.

Fighting

During the 2018 World Cup, conflict erupted among supporters of Brazil and Serbia, whereas during the 2016 European Championship, England fans engaged in altercations with Russian supporters. Numerous recent significant competitions have witnessed occurrences of clashes between fans.

A serious assault in Qatar could result in a fine of £2400 or a prison sentence of up to two years. Additionally, the offender may be required to work for 20 days or face imprisonment for causing incapacity or sickness.

If the assault is considered premeditated, the sentence could be extended to three years and the fine increased to 15,000 Qatari rials (£3,600).

Unruly conduct

In Qatar, engaging in such activities is not against the law. Nevertheless, the viral poster mentioned at the beginning of this article listed generating “noisy music and sounds” as behavior to steer clear of.

The 2002 environmental law sets guidelines for industrial and commercial enterprises, specifying that daytime noise should not exceed 55 decibels and nighttime noise should not exceed 45 decibels.

In Qatar, there are stringent regulations regarding public sanitation. If someone is caught littering, they may face a penalty of up to 10,000 Riyals (approximately £2,400). On the other hand, severe consequences such as imprisonment for a maximum of six months, along with a fine, can be imposed for acts like spitting, urinating, or defecating in public.

Swearing is considered an obscene act and is punishable by law. If directed towards police officers, it can be aggravated. Potential punishments include deportation, a short jail sentence, or a fine.

Lastly, there are limitations on capturing images of individuals and religious, military, or construction locations.

In November of last year, two reporters from Norwegian broadcaster NRK were arrested for “recording without a license”.

Dress

Qatar is a country with traditional social values.

Individuals who violate clothing regulations may be requested to leave government buildings, healthcare facilities, and shopping malls, as per guidance from the UK government. However, it is not legally punishable unless it is deemed to be an indecent behavior. Women are recommended to ensure their shoulders are covered and to refrain from wearing short skirts, while men are advised to avoid shorts and tops without sleeves.

However, in reality, most shopping centers will not strictly enforce these rules, while shorts are quite common.

Breastfeeding in public in Qatar has generally not been a problem.

(Top image: Mohammed Dabbous/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images).