Saturday 19 November 2022 10:17 PM World Cup fans are in a 'desert storm' of rows over accommodation, alcohol and ... trends now
England and Wales fans landed in Qatar yesterday amid a ‘desert storm’ of rows over accommodation, alcohol and overcrowding.
Supporters were greeted by blazing temperatures of 34C (93F) in the capital city Doha, which is hosting the first World Cup in a Middle Eastern country.
As football’s greatest show on earth gets under way this afternoon, Qatar’s rulers were already in damage-limitation mode as the first fans began to upload footage of ‘hellish’ conditions in the accommodation villages.
There were complaints, too, that security guards were overly aggressive, with one fan telling The Mail on Sunday he was cornered and accused of ‘spying’ as he walked to his holiday apartment.
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Sam, 33, from Reading, was left shaken by the ‘hit and run’ incident which saw his mobile phone knocked out his hand by three security guards as he walked along while video-calling his family.
The England fan, who did not want to share his surname due to fears of being targeted by the hardline Qatari authorities, said: ‘I don’t scare easily, but their behaviour was totally unnecessary. It did leave me shaken up.’
Many fans are also continuing to vent their anger after the Gulf nation’s sheikhs imposed a shock last-minute beer ban at stadiums.
Yesterday the much-vaunted Fan Festival site opened – but supporters had to queue for two hours to enter, with no access to shelter or water in the searing heat.
England begin their campaign for World Cup glory tomorrow against Iran, kicking off at 4pm (1pm UK time).
Wales – in the tournament for the first time since 1958 – play the USA at 10pm (7pm UK
