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World Cup 2022: England players' wives and girlfriends given list of dos and don'ts in Qatar

Partners of footballers warned against drinking alcohol, swearing or acting inappropriately during call to prayer
Fashion designer and singer Victoria Beckham watches her husband David during a World Cup match in Nuremberg on 15 June 2006 (AFP/File photo)
Fashion designer and singer Victoria Beckham watches her husband David during a World Cup match in Nuremberg on 15 June 2006 (AFP/File photo)
Par MEE staff

England’s Football Association (FA) has met with the wives and partners of the national team’s footballers to discuss dos and don'ts during the World Cup in Qatar

The meeting, first reported by The Sun earlier this week, took place last month before England’s match with Germany.

“It is important to understand that you and your husband/partner are not above the law here,” FA officials reportedly told attendees. 

“Every order is in place to protect both yourselves and your partner/husband in any case of indiscretion. Fines and prosecution are commonplace.”

The partners were told to dress modestly and avoid public displays of affection. 

They were also advised not to drink alcohol, swear publicly, litter, or play loud music, sing, shout or generally act “inappropriately” during the five daily calls to prayer. 

Among other restrictions was taking selfies outside government buildings, which the FA warned could lead to police action. 

The guidance comes just days after Qatar’s World Cup organisers issued a statement declaring that a controversial infographic widely circulated on social media, which told visitors to refrain from drinking alcohol, swearing and homosexuality, among other actions, was fake. 

"Qatar has always been an open, tolerant, and welcoming nation. International fans and visitors during the Fifa World Cup will get to experience this first-hand," the 2022 World Cup Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said.

The quadrennial tournament, which will be the first to be held in a Muslim or Arab country, kicks off on 20 November. 

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