UK officers on World Cup duty to police home fans
bobbies are being sent to Qatar to stop trouble kicking off between local police and boisterous England andWales football fans.
Top cops fear flashpoints as their strict Gulf counterparts are confronted by more than 6,000 high-spirited supporters heading to the World Cup from the UK.
They plan to defuse tensions by deploying 15 experienced “supporter engagement officers” who will bridge the cultural gap between spectators and Qatari law enforcers.
The tournament starts in three weeks. It is the first in an Arabic country and is expected to test the state’s strict alcohol and public order laws.
But British police chiefs believe the engagement officers – together with trouble spotters and seasoned investigators – can keep the peace. Cheshire Police chief constable Mark Roberts said: “It is a Qatari operation.We have tried to give experience of what might be a problem and what might not be a problem.
“We have been very keen to emphasise that just because people are noisy, loud, bouncing up and down, that’s not necessarily aggres BRITISH sions.” He added: “It is in no one’s interests for anything minor to escalate and lead to any unpleasantness.”
Mr Roberts said UK police there would have football crowd control experience and intervene if “there’s a risk [supporters] may be overstepping the mark as viewed by locals”.
But he added: “Equally, if we think there’s going to be an intervention by law enforcement, they would be seeking to engage with them just to calm it down, inject a sense of balance.”
Major football tournaments are synonymous with crowds having long drinking sessions in public places.
However, Qatar’s “dry” laws will limit alcohol consumption to licensed hotels, bars, restaurants and fan zones.
Known hooligans will be stopped leaving the UK during the contest.
Foreign Office Gulf department head David Clay said the Ministry of Defence will also be giving counterterrorism advice to the Qataris.
He said the state’s ban on gay relationships was raised “at all levels”, adding: “They have repeatedly committed that everybody is welcome.
“We will continue to encourage equal treatment and respect...and identify what actions authorities are taking to match their commitment.”