QATAR BANS ENGLAND FANS FROM ENTERING WORLD CUP STADIUMS IN CRUSADER COSTUMES (VIDEO)

Thu 24 November 2022:

England fans dressed in full crusader costumes will be denied entry to World Cup stadiums in Qatar.

Security turned away England fans dressed in crusader costumes, according to a video posted on social media.

Because of the Crusades, which occurred between 1095 and 1291, when Christian armies seized Jerusalem and the surrounding areas from Islamic rule, Crusader costumes are at risk of offending local residents in Qatar.

Supporters often attend England matches dressed as St George, the patron saint usually depicted as a knight on horseback, although footage shared on Twitter appeared to show two England fans wearing chain mail and helmets being turned around by officials prior to Monday’s victory over Iran.

Image Credit: Twitter/@Bob_cart124

A spokesperson for anti-racism group Kick It Out has warned England fans against wearing the costumes to matches at the World Cup by insisting that they may not be taken kindly to by officials at stadiums in Qatar if they decide to dress up in such a manner.

“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,” said the spokesperson.

“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.”

A number of England fans were spotted wearing crusader costumes in the early days of the 2022 World Cup. The director of Tell Mama, a UK project monitoring Islamophobic hate, Iman Atta said to The Telegraph: “Our fans should be mindful that there are things that may cause offence to Qatari citizens, such as openly drinking or wearing historical Crusader Knights Templar outfits that have very negative implications in the region.

“We also know that this is not done to purposefully irritate Qataris but out of a desire to support England.”

Atta added: “However, we firmly believe in the principle that any World Cup should have an environment where fans can be open, enjoy what they want to wear and feel safe and secure.

“This principle is one that we believe in, though in Qatar, people should just be mindful and aware of deep sensitivities.”

England will next face the United States on Friday in their second Group B fixture and will be looking to build on Monday’s 6-2 win over Iran.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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