Calls to respect Qatar’s laws during World Cup

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has said Qatar must be respected as the host country of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is due to kick off on November 20. Speaking at a press conference, the captain of the World Cup title holders said: “When we are in France, when we welcome foreigners, we often want them to follow our rules, to respect our culture, and I will do the same when I go to Qatar.”

The French team will arrive in Doha today where they will have their last training camp before their first match in the tournament against Australia on November 22. They have been drawn in Group D along with Australia, Denmark and Tunisia.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has called on British fans travelling to the World Cup to respect the laws applicable during the tournament.

Speaking before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British House of Commons, the foreign secretary said British fans who will travel to attend the World Cup in Qatar must respect the applicable local laws, pointing out that he will travel to Qatar to attend the tournament.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has issued a set of tips and guidelines for England and Wales fans who intend to travel to Qatar to attend the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches, asking them to familiarise themselves with Qatar’s laws and customs to find out what they should avoid while they are there.

The Foreign Office stressed the need to inform the fans of the requirements for travelling to and residing in Qatar, and the need to obtain a Hayya card for fans and hold a certificate stating that the fan is free of the coronavirus.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs works closely with a number of partners, including football associations, representatives of fan associations and the British police to provide information and advice to fans travelling to the World Cup. – QNA