In addition to struggles on the field, the World Cup in Qatar entails an unprecedented legal "struggle" between the Qatari legal system, which in many aspects is far from the legal values accepted in the Western world, and the desire of Qatar's rulers to go through the World Cup period without bumps and scandals.
In order to allow the largest football celebration in the world to take place in an emirate with a tradition of strict Islamism, in 2021 a special 42-section law was enacted in Qatar, which adopted "foreign" principles into Qatari law.
The law, by the way, is only valid for the days of the World Cup, and FIFA is behind its legislation, so it is not surprising that it protects its interests first and foremost: one of the clauses exempts FIFA from taxation in Qatar, another clause preserves its intellectual property rights on the game broadcasts, And other clauses make sure to guarantee her the rights to sell the tickets and trademarks of the World Cup.
The good will of Qatar's rulers with regard to FIFA's pocket is understandable, but in other matters they did not show similar generosity, and did not agree to change the laws of the place just to please the fans who come to the country's gates. The prohibition regarding inappropriate clothing, which is enshrined in Qatari law, will also remain in place During the games, the question remains whether it will be enforced in the stadiums, but fans who walk outside the games in revealing clothes risk actual punishment.
Dutch fans.
You should dress modestly this time, photo: Reuters
Gambling is also prohibited in Qatar, and the ban naturally also applies to the World Cup games.
Section 275 of the local penal law states that anyone who gambles is liable to imprisonment for up to three months and a fine of 3,000 Rials (about NIS 2,820).
The penalty for managing gambling involves a year's imprisonment.
What will happen, then, to a British fan who will bet while in Qatar via the internet, as he has always been used to?
It is likely that the local authorities will turn a blind eye, even though the dry law requires an unequivocal punishment in such a case.
What could be more serious in the eyes of Qatari law than a gambling fan in immodest clothing?
- A gambling fan in immodest clothes drinking an alcoholic beverage.
The punishment for consuming alcohol in the parish amounts to six months in prison and a fine of 3,000 riyals.
The situation of a fan who decides to bring alcohol from his country will be even more difficult, because the penalty for smuggling a drink into the country jumps to three years in prison and a fine of 10,000 Rials.
Croatian fans celebrate with beer, photo: Reuters
Despite FIFA's requests, the Qatari authorities insisted on not allowing the drinking of beer in the stands or in the stadiums. The only compromise they agreed to is the sale of beer in the fan complexes during very limited hours. What will be done to those who are caught with the prohibited drink at other times or outside the fenced complex? These are isolated cases, it is assumed that the authorities would prefer to confiscate the capital and release the disobedient fan quietly. But if the phenomenon of drinking expands, the Qataris will not be able to explain to their citizens why the law is not enforced, and will be forced to apply the punishment, even if the cost in terms of the country's image will be high.
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