World Cup 2022 booze, PDA, gay sex ban: Has Qatar updated rules?

Football fans attending the FIFA Soccer World Cup in Qatar — which starts on Sunday 20 November — have been given some leeway when it comes to the strict laws of the Arab country.

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In June this year, an insider told the Daily Star, that the only action allowed is on the field and not in the sheets, as “illegal” sex, alcohol and homosexuality are banned.

However, according to The Athletic, Qatar is being a little lenient.

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SAME SEX COUPLES WILL NO LONGER BE JAILED FOR PDA AT THE WORLD CUP

Pre-marital sex and homosexuality is already illegal in Muslim-majority country, regardless of who you are.

But, English Football Association chief Mark Bullingham said he had been assured that LGBT+ England fans would not be arrested at the tournament for holding hands or kissing in public.

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Previously, it was revealed that homosexual visitors attending the World Cup will be jailed for public displays of affection (PDA) or even sharing the same hotel room.

PREMARITAL SEX ALSO OKAY

Another concern was premarital sex, as one-night stands are punishable by to seven years in Qatar.

“Sex is very much off the menu unless you are coming as a husband and wife team. There definitely will be no one-night stands at this tournament,” the insider had told Daily Beast.

“Qatar is a ­conservative country and public ­displays of affection are frowned upon ­regardless of sexual orientation,” hehad added.

But now, the government has said unmarried couples will be allowed to share hotel rooms, regardless of sexuality.

BOOZING GIVEN THE GREENLIGHT, BUT THERE ARE STRICT RULES

The culture of boozing after a game, which is very popular with English football fans was also prohibited.

While this will not be a ‘dry’ World Cup, alcohol availability will be significantly reduced.

Firstly, alcohol will not be sold to anyone under 21 years and it will only be available at licensed venues.

Secondly, alcohol will be served in “select areas within stadiums” during the tournament and only soft drinks will be allowed in view of the pitch.

Drinking in public outside the permitted areas is strictly prohibited, as is public drunkenness.

The Athletic reports that a UK foreign office warned that drinking in a non-licensed public place could result in six months behind bars [no, not drinking bars] and/or a fine of up to 3 000 Riyals (about R14 000). 

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