England supporters have been told not to wear crusader costumes when they attend the Three Lions’ next World Cup game against the USA in Qatar on Friday.
Fans have been spotted in Doha wearing chainmail and carrying fake swords and shields with the St George cross on. The costumes are fairly common around England matches, but have caused a stir in Qatar due to their wider connotations.
While the idea is to represent St George, England’s patron saint, the depiction of knights and crusaders could be deemed offensive in the Middle East. The Crusades were a series of religious wars waged by Christians against Muslims during the Medieval period.
England fans dressed in full crusader garb have reportedly been denied entry to stadiums in Qatar. A video posted to Twitter, which has been viewed over 500,000 times, shows two England fans speaking to security before being turned away.
Ashley Brown, head of supporter engagement at the Football Supporters Association, urged England supporters to be considerate of their hosts. “I think it’s naivety rather than anything intentional,” he said.
“They’re dressing as St George, the patron saint, but perhaps they don’t really understand the implication of what they’re wearing.”
HAVE YOUR SAY! What do you make of the situation? Should fans be allowed to wear crusader costumes in Qatar? Comment below.
A spokesperson for anti-racism charity Kick It Out echoed the FSA’s advice. “We would advise fans who are attending FIFA World Cup matches that certain attire, such as fancy-dress costumes representing knights or crusaders, may not be welcomed in Qatar and other Islamic countries,” they said.
“Foreign Office travel advice issued before the tournament expressed that fans should familiarise themselves with local customs, and we would encourage fans to take this approach."
Despite the advice, footage on social media shows many England fans have taken their chainmail and battle equipment to Qatar for the World Cup. Videos show fans covered head to toe in crusader outfits singing God Save the King on the Doha metro system.
One fan, who spoke to Talk TV while dressed in chainmail with a St George cross on his cheek, complained about the way fans were being treated in Qatar.
“The problem is in places like Qatar, the fans are the essence of the game,” he said. “We are what makes the game. It's not the corporates, they help financially in the background, it's us the fans that make the football and we are the football.”
England won their opening match 6-2 against Iran on Monday and are back in action in Group B on Friday. Gareth Southgate’s side will take on the USA, who drew 1-1 with Wales in their opener, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Doha at 7pm UK time.
