A security expert has issued some stark warnings for World Cup fans heading to Qatar to watch the FIFA tournament, including the risks of falling foul of Qatari laws and being banged up abroad.
Diego Maloney, lead analyst at Riskline which creates in-depth reports into international security threats, has warned UK fans that the complex nature of Qatari courts means they need to stay vigilant when heading to the Middle Eastern country.
The travel threat expert has warned that behaviours such as drinking, holding hands and even filming on your phone at the event could actually land you in big trouble.
With less than three weeks until the tournament begins, Diego has shared some of his biggest warnings for fans heading to Qatar.
Drinking
Qatar imposes strict controls on alcohol and very high taxes when it is served in international hotels, meaning a pint can cost upwards of £20.
Football fans will be able to drink if they purchase hospitality packages to watch the games, and Diego predicts Qatar will lower the normal cost.
However, the security expert urges people not to get too carried away whatever the price.
He explained: "Pre World Cup they would definitely arrest you for being publicly drunk, during the World Cup there'll be sober tents, where you're put if you're being drunk but harmless and a general nuisance.
"There you'll be monitored by a health official, who will release you with a warning."
He added that it's unclear whether courts will hand out hefty fines and six month prison sentences for public drunkenness as in normal times.
"Once the tournament is over the laws will be enforced to a full extent, which is worrying for people imprisoned there," he revealed.
"What laws are applied is up to the royal family, they can find a decree that temporarily suspends it or tell their people not to apply the law. It is unclear which has happened. People face long corrupt trials and prison sentences."
He also warned against fans trying to sneak hard drink into stadiums, suggesting they'd likely run into "very serious issues".
Fan outfits
With the World Cup about to start in a country with Sharia courts, fans are being urged to avoid unruly behaviour. (After all, we all remember THAT image of an England fan with a flare in an unlikely place at the Euro 2020 tournament).
Even in the official Qatar fan zones - where local laws may be overlooked slightly - supporters are being closely watched and their behaviour monitored, Diego claimed.
"Taking your shirt off in the fan zone will come with at least a warning and demand you put your shirt back on," he said
When it comes to dressing, Diego says shorts are fine in most places, beach wear will get you in trouble anywhere but the beach, and that shoulders should be covered and tank tops avoided.
Rules around clothes will be much more strictly enforced in buildings of significance and mosques, Diego predicted.
Relationships
The Foreign Office warns that "homosexual behaviour is illegal in Qatar", and has travel advice in place for the LGBTQ community.
Last week UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was heavily criticised for telling LGBTQ+ football fans to "make compromises" when travelling to Qatar..
Diego again argued that the lack of clarity about which laws would and wouldn't be enforced creates massive problems for fans.
"Hugging (in public) won't be an issue, but holding hands may be, depending on who is holding hands," he said.
"If you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community, holding hands will gain a lot more attention than if a heterosexual couple were doing it.
"It's really at the discretion of the officer. It may be overlooked for the desire for Qatar to put on a seamless tournament.
"But kissing for LGBTQ+ couples and unmarried couples, that is definitely not allowed. Likely the same applies in the fan zones."
Diego said same sex friends who are planning to stay in a hotel room together to stay money - as he is doing - are unlikely to face any additional scrutiny. He said: "I'm staying with a friend, no additional question were asked."
Security
Qatar has installed 15,000 facial recognition cameras across public areas, fan zones and stadiums, meaning every moment of fans' stays will be monitored.
Visitors who get caught breaking the rules will face a police force that's been bolstered by over 5,000 extra officers, who have been trained ahead of the tournament.
"Fans shouldn't expect to get away with paying officers bribes," the security expert said.
Officers will be stationed across the cities and tournaments, keeping a close eye on fans.
Diego advises people not to film too much on their phone, as fans have been asked not to and "it will be frowned upon".
Sending texts and videos to friends outside the country even with encrypted apps would be a mistake, he suggests, as your messages may be monitored.
- If you are travelling to Qatar make sure to regularly check the Foreign Office's Qatar travel advice as this includes up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs and other important information. There is also a dedicated section for those travelling to the World Cup.
