England fans will not be allowed to enter World Cup 2022 stadiums if they are dressed in crusader costumes, with some having been turned away from fixtures already.
Many Three Lions fans attend matches dressed in crusader get-up in order to resemble St. George, the patron saint of England who is traditionally depicted in chain mail on horseback.
But supporters will not be allowed into Qatari stadiums if they choose to wear the outfits at this World Cup, as organisers believe they may be upsetting to muslims. The period of fighting know as the crusades, which took place between 1095 and 1291, saw christians battle with muslims for the holy city of Jerusalem and surrounding Arab lands.
Footage shared on Twitter appeared to show chainmail class England fans being turned away from the ground ahead of England's clash with Iran on Monday. A spokesperson for the anti-racism campaign group Kick It Out has advised fans not to wear the outfits.
"We would advise fans who are attending FIFA World Cup matches that certain attire, such as fancy-dress costumes representing knights or crusaders, may not be welcomed in Qatar and other Islamic countries," said the spokesperson.
"Foreign Office travel advice issued before the tournament expressed that fans should familiarise themselves with local customs, and we would encourage fans to take this approach."
An England fan in Qatar speaks to TalkTV about the treatment of fans at the World Cup."What they don't realise in places like Qatar is the fans are the essence of the game. We are what makes football it's not the corporates."#WorldCup | #TalkTV pic.twitter.com/AQ2uLocGXZNovember 20, 2022
Some fans are unhappy about the rule, with one England supporter interviewed by TalkTV this week expressing his dismay.
"What they don't realise in places like Qatar is the fans are the essence of the game. We are what makes football it's not the corporates."
