British report: Qatar’s new World Cup paradox – allows alcohol and prevents drugs
A new crisis awaits the Qatar World Cup 2022, as there are currently fears that fans of participating teams will face the death penalty if they are caught en route to the World Cup in Qatar.
In a report published by the British Daily Star, he said that Qatar is a country that does not offer “any exceptions” to foreigners who violate the law. Qatar takes a changing position in many situations, despite its availability of alcohol, which contradicts its Arab and Islamic identity, but it bans drugs.
So supporters of Three Lions are being warned that they may face “arbitrary arrest” if they are caught near other drug users – even if they have nothing.
Police Chief Mark Roberts, head of the National Football Police Command Council, said cocaine use is believed to be a “factor” in increasing bad behavior at the games.
UK police are working with officers in Qatar to monitor any potential drug smugglers lining up for World Cup sales, he warned. “Any fan deemed to be misbehaving could also be subject to a football ban on his return to the UK, as well as being arrested and possibly charged with crimes in Qatar”.
Radha Sterling, president of Hold in Doha and Due Process International, an organization that helps Britons work abroad, said: “Visitors are at risk of arrest if they participate in drinking or drug abuse, and face arbitrary arrest if the police round up a large network targeting those in the vicinity of other individuals who have been arrested, or if falsely charged by other attendees.”
She continued: “Authorities make no exceptions, and foreign embassies are generally unable to mediate on behalf of their citizens when it comes to Qatar’s drug laws.”
The traffickers face the death penalty, with other penalties including imprisonment and fines of up to £44k.
Qatar has already announced that alcohol will be available to football fans at Qatari stadiums during the 2022 World Cup, on the condition that the packages are purchased at hospitality booths, which are usually very expensive, the contractor said.
