Doha. British fans were quieter than ever during the World Cup.
The police football unit believes the alcohol ban is working – and wants the UK government to drop any idea of relaxing the rules.
– Of course it affects, says the English supporter John, who has nothing against banning alcohol.
No English or Welsh supporters have yet been arrested during the World Cup in Qatar, according to The Times. The police also did not record any disturbances among the fans.
The situation was even worse in Tenerife, where there were fights between neighboring countries before the meeting. In the clip, chairs are seen being thrown and fists between about thirty supporters.
Police chief: “drop all ideas”
Mark Roberts, the football unit’s chief constable, thinks he knows why.
Our main task is to watch over the safety of the British. In addition to minimizing the risk of our fans causing trouble for the organizer, the police chief told the Palestinian News Agency, and so far there have been no arrests.
Therefore, British ministers should not relax the strict alcohol rules that apply in stadiums at home in the UK, Roberts believes.
– I think it changes the atmosphere when the alcohol isn’t around. He says the atmosphere here is very relaxed, which is a good thing.
– The government should drop all ideas of reintroducing alcohol into the squares.
“He must not appear drunk.”
Qatar stopped the sale of alcohol at World Cup stadiums two days before the tournament kicks off, something most fans seem to be fine with.
Prior to England meeting Wales, the opposition supporters were seen reaching out to each other in a way that was not, for example, common during last summer’s European Championships when England faced Scotland.
– Shall I say what caused it? You can get completely drunk in Qatar but not wandering the streets and showing it openly like in other places, says Terry, the England supporter from Liverpool, and adds:
– I drank five beers before coming here, that’s enough.
Imprisonment threats come into play
He believes Qatar’s strict regulations may also discourage fans from taking turns. For example, several of them testified about how the guards told them not to sing outside the arena – if they didn’t want to risk imprisonment.
“You’d be a fool if you went against their rules,” Terry interjects.
John, 82, from Manchester thinks he’s still too old to drink much. In the match against Wales, he didn’t have any beer.
– Many Englishmen get out of control easily… In fact I didn’t drink anything at all today and it feels as good as anything, says John.
– It obviously affects, if everyone drank. If you’ve been sitting at a bar all day drinking, it’s enough for someone to say one small thing to trigger a massive reaction. As in Tenerife.
