Curious bans for World Cup fans in Qatar named: no vuvuzelas

The World Cup in Qatar has started – and its guests have to behave in accordance with a stricter code of conduct for fans, specially developed by FIFA, than at previous world championships.

Football fans must remain in their jerseys and not be “obviously intoxicated” in World Cup stadiums in Qatar, according to the organizers’ code of conduct for the tournament.

According to Sky News, FIFA has prepared a “stadium code of conduct” that applies to all 64 matches in the Gulf Monarchy.

This set of rules informs ticket holders of the 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium code of conduct and lists the things fans should not do.

The clothing portion of the code states that fans must not “remove items of clothing or otherwise remain undressed”, including without a shirt. They also must not “reveal the private parts of the body”. Just in case – apparently to avoid overly broad interpretation of what is allowed – the manual adds: “For the avoidance of doubt, body tattoos and body paint are not clothing.”

For its part, the British Foreign Office also advises British fans who come to Qatar to “dress modestly” in public, adds Sky News.

A separate article is alcohol. According to the rules code, those who watch matches must not be “apparently under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any narcotic substance”.

Foreign fans are warned that drinking alcohol or being intoxicated in public places in Qatar is an offense punishable by up to six months in prison or a fine.

Two days before the start of the tournament, the sale of alcohol was banned in Qatari stadiums, but it will be available to corporate spectators with an expensive ticket to the VIP box.

Qatar initially ordered that the booths of the sponsoring brewery be less visible, but now no alcohol will be sold at all throughout the tournament – except in the fan zones.

Items prohibited from being brought into stadiums include “bottles, cups, cans, tins, or any other form of closed or closed vessel that may be thrown or cause injury.”

It is also forbidden to bring any food into the stadiums, except for infants or for medical reasons.

Daytime temperatures in Doha are expected to rise to 30°C and fans are expected to be directed to stalls on the ground for food, water and other non-alcoholic beverages.

Bad news for fans of “bouncy balls” and “other inflatable items such as balloons” as they are also banned.

Any hope of greeting players with toilet paper rolls or other materials looks doomed, as “significant amounts of paper or any paper rolls” are also prohibited from being in the stadium.

The next section emphasizes that any material “of a political, offensive and / or discriminatory nature, containing language, symbols or any other attributes aimed at discrimination of any kind” is naturally prohibited.

Vuvuzelas and musical instruments are also not welcome. Although fans trumpeted in Doha ahead of the tournament, vuvuzelas are not allowed in stadiums during matches. These plastic horns were the “signature” sound of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, although their constant honking by the fans divided the public opinion, especially those who watched football on TV.

Musical instruments that are “difficult to carry” through an X-ray baggage scanner for security checks are prohibited unless fans have received approval from the event organisers.

The document adds: “The respective event organizer may require ticket holders to stop using musical instruments if the sound produced by the respective device interferes with the operation of the event or the enjoyment of other ticket holders. Electronic, mechanical or manual devices that produce noise or other excessively loud sounds, such as vuvuzelas, whistles, loudspeakers, etc., drum warmers, are also prohibited.”

How big a bag can fans take to the stadium? According to the rules, bags must be stored under the seats and are considered “large” if “the sum of the three measurements of length, width and height exceeds 75 centimeters.”