The World Cup is drawing ever closer with just over a month to go as soccer fans begin to get excited about traveling to Qatar for the sport’s biggest tournament.
Things are a bit different this time, as the tournament takes place in winter and is also hosted by a Muslim country, which means that foreign football fans will need to be respectful of the country’s culture and laws.
Qatar is a nation governed by strict laws and things common in Western society could cause problems for fans traveling to the Middle East this winter.
Before the tournament, fans were warned against removing their shirts in Qatar, a common behavior on English pitches.
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Although temperatures can reach 50°C in Qatar, fans face heavy fines if they are caught without their jerseys. Large fines are levied for many minor offenses with littering at a cost of £2,400, therefore the shirt offense could be roughly the same.
FIFA states on the tournament’s official website under a heading called Cultural Awareness via the Daily Star: “People can generally wear whatever clothes they prefer.
“Visitors are expected to cover their shoulders and knees when visiting public places such as museums and other government buildings. The use of bathing suits is allowed on the beaches and swimming pools of the hotels.
“Fans attending matches should note that removing jerseys is not permitted in the stadium.”
Fans of England, among other nations, are notorious for taking their shirts off at games, but if they do so at this year’s World Cup it will be a very expensive trip.
