The organization of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is causing a lot of controversy and… false information. It is therefore advisable to be wary of so-called rules in force in the country during the competition. Each crazier than the other. Obligation to leave the country for supporters whose team has been eliminated? Fake supporters hired by Qatar to do the animation? False information seems all the more credible, and has therefore been widely shared in recent months.
This time, it’s a slew of statements circulating on social networks, accompanied by a photograph of the star players of this world. “Here are the new rules for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar! “begins the user. Among these: “From November 18, the telephone operators will be closed and no supporter is authorized to buy a SIM card. A Wifi network is available throughout the country. »
Or: “No meeting between girls and boys (outside marriage)”, information very often communicated for several months. Finally, still according to the publication: “No supporter will pay for transport” and, “according to Qatari television, there will be no matches at prayer time”. What are all these claims really? 20 minutes make the point.
FAKE OFF
- No SIM card for supporters? It’s wrong.
According to the publication, supporters are not allowed to purchase a SIM card. No information in this sense is written black on white. And specific formulas for the competition period are even offered by the two mobile operators available in Qatar: Ooredoo and Vodafone.
the first offer a “free Ooredoo Hayya SIM card” as a “welcome gift”. The information site for entering the territory also indicates: “Access to Free SIM card”, or access to a free SIM card. The Hayya card needed to travel to Qatar and to the matches does indeed allow you to obtain a SIM card. the second, Vodafone, offers a multitude of fan packs to be able to access the Internet, SMS and calls. The formulas range from zero to 40 US dollars.
- No matches during prayer times? It’s wrong.
According to a publication, which would report comments from Qatari television, no match can take place during times of prayer. Knowing that there are five each day, this leaves little time for scheduling meetings. This is actually false information. The France team will face Tunisia on November 29 at 4 p.m. French time. This is equivalent to a match at 6 p.m. in Doha, or the Isha, last prayer of the day, starts at 6:14 p.m..
The Qatar team is no exception as they will play against Senegal on November 25, at 4 p.m. local time. The twilight prayer named Maghreb takes place at 4:46 p.m. The same is true for the match against the Netherlands on November 29. The kick-off will be given at 6 p.m. in Doha, for a start of the Isha fifteen minutes later.
- Beware of meetings between girls and boys? It’s wrong.
This publication also claims that girls and boys will not be able to meet if they are not married. This assertion has made the rounds of social networks, sometimes evoking meetings, or even sexual relations. Actually, when asked, “Are unmarried friends of different genders or couples (including LGBTQ+) allowed to stay in the same room?” », information website of the World Cup replies: “Yes. There are no restrictions. »
However, there is indeed a law which specifies that relations outside marriage are totally prohibited in Qatar. But this is not specific to the World Cup period. An unmarried couple cannot have intimacy in public, and cannot live under the same roof.
Individuals who violate this law risk arrest, possibly prosecution that can result in a fine or jail time and deportation from the country. But in fact, this law is very little applied, and even less for tourists or expatriates. It has never been announced by Qatar a particular application of this rule during the competition.
- Free transport for supporters? It’s true.
All supporters could travel to Qatar for free? A godsend given the already high price of flights and accommodation on site. Indeed, the sesame information site authorizing access to the country specifies: “Hayya cardholders can access free public transport from November 10 to December 23, 2022 and intelligent journey planning. This card is mandatory for all foreign supporters wishing to travel to Qatar during the World Cup period, and to attend matches.