FANS travelling to this month’s World Cup MUST be mindful of Qatari culture, police have warned.
The latest Foreign Office advice for the 3,000-plus England supporters planning a trip to the Gulf state is that NONE of them should hold hands in public, even with a partner of the OPPOSITE sex.
But while 15 special UK police “engagement officers” will act as a buffer between fans and potentially over-zealous local forces to try to “de-escalate” issues, supporters have been urged to avoid provoking the Qatari authorities.
Qatar has pulled in extra police from Turkey and Pakistan to help control the World Cup.
And Cheshire Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the UK’s top football cop, said: “Our officers will be there to try to engage and calm things down if needed.