DigitEye India Fact Checkers
As Qatar, the first Arab country to hold the FIFA World Cup is all set to start on November 20, 2022, several claims have been in circulation about the rules pertaining to drinking, homosexuality, profanity, immodesty, loud music, dating, disrespecting holy places, and clicking other people’s pictures without their permission in the country.
One such leaflet is being shared on social media dictating the dos and don’ts for the football fans visiting the country and warning them that not following these rules will land the accused in serious trouble.
The poster, written in English and Arabic, lists various activities as a punishable offence and the caption of the image reads: “Going to Qatar for the World Cup games? Better know the rules before you go. Otherwise, straight to jail!”
FACT CHECK
Digiteye India team fact-checked the viral video, and found that it was morphed and far from truth. The image has in small letters written #Reflect_Your_Respect — which was entirely unrelated campaign linked to Qatari women’s movement and has nothing to do with the FIFA rules being imposed.
Soon after such claims appeared on Twitter, FIFA has issued the following message denying them:
Otherwise, the Qatar government, under the cultural awareness tab, has highlighted some guidelines for drinking alcohol, PDA, photography, and services, issued by the government, for visitors during the world cup. But none of them say these activities are illegal in the country, hence, the claim made in viral poster are completely different.
— Road to 2022 (@roadto2022en) October 6, 2022
Above tweet, dated October 6, 2022, published on @Roadto2022en — the Official account for Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022, clarifies that the viral image has not been issued by the authorities and contains factually incorrect information.
Claim: Viral poster prescribes Do’s and Don’t for fans in Qatar during FIFA matches
Conclusion: No such poster was issued by the Qatar government
Rating: Totally False — 
