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There's been a lot of controversy surrounding the upcoming FIFA World Cup which is set to be played in Qatar later this year amid the country's strict laws and customs. Things could get even more tense with fans now learning that they risk spending up to seven years in jail if caught having one-night stands during their stay in the country.
As the 2022 FIFA World Cup approaches, fans who plan to travel to Qatar to watch the tournament will need to pay close attention to the laws and customs of the country. One such law is that having sex outside of marriage is totally banned.
According to the non-profit Human Dignity Trust, offenders can spend up to seven years behind bars if caught violating this law. Moreover, it's important to note that homosexuality is also prohibited in Qatar under the Penal Code 2004, Article 285 and could also lead to a jail term of a similar length.
It has been buttressed by a police insider who told the Daily Star:
“Sex is very much off the menu, unless you are coming as a husband and wife team. There definitely will be no one-night stands at this tournament. There will be no partying at all really. Everyone needs to keep their heads about them, unless they want to risk being stuck in prison. There is essentially a sex ban in place at this year’s World Cup for the first time ever. Fans need to be prepared.”
He continued:
“The drink and party culture after games, which is the norm in most places, is strictly prohibited, with very strict and scary consequences if you are caught. There is a feeling that this could be a very bad tournament indeed for fans.”
When will the 2022 World Cup kick off in Qatar?
This year's FIFA World Cup will kick off on November 21 at the Al Thumama Stadium between Senegal and the Netherlands in Group A and will continue for 27 days. The tournament will conclude on December 18 at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, where the final is scheduled to be played, just a week before Christmas.
Many top superstars will participate in the tournament, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, Karim Benzema, Neymar and Luka Modric. It remains to be seen how the tournament will pan out.
