The UK’s football policing chief said that British soccer supporters at the World Cup in Qatar exhibited exemplary behaviour. No arrests were made during the event. No British World Cup supporters were arrested. Three people were taken into custody at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Now that England and Wales are participating, the number of group-stage games involving British teams has doubled. This includes a derby match, in which England won 3-0. One common explanation for the lack of British fans in Qatari prisons is the difficulty of obtaining alcohol. It is strictly prohibited in the Muslim nation.
No British World Cup supporters were arrested
Roberts argued that the alcohol ban in Qatar could not be solely responsible for the country’s exemplary behaviour. Nevertheless, he knew that the ban had helped. Both Wales and England were eliminated in the quarterfinals by champions France. He will play in the championship game against Argentina on Sunday.
“The behaviour of England and Wales out in Qatar was absolutely exemplary.” Chief Constable Mark Roberts of Cheshire Police was quoted as saying by USA Today on Thursday.
“Throughout the home nations’ involvement in the tournament there were no arrests or incidents to report, which is a credit to all those who travelled.”
“I would also like to praise all the UK officers who traveled out to Qatar for the work they have done in helping to keep British nationals safe during the past four weeks,” Roberts said.
“Traditionally we do have few arrests of our fans at World Cups, but to have zero isn’t something we have seen before.”
“It would be wrong to entirely attribute this excellent behaviour to the restrictions on alcohol in Qatar, but I do think it has helped to some degree,” Roberts said.
