Qatar World Cup Stadium Security told England supporters not to wear the ST George costume, which depicts a Crusader knight.
Stadium officials led away the supporters clad in the costumes in fear of insulting host Qatar, and Muslim communities present in the country for the World Cup.
The costume, which consists of full chainmail armor and the ST George’s Cross, has been worn for years by the England National Team supporters, the Christian patron often depicted as a Crusader warrior knight on horseback.
The costume depicts medieval-age armor worn by crusaders in the religious wars against the Islamic world, where many forms of aggression such as rape, murder, pillaging, and slaughter affected many Muslims around the world.
The most infamous Crusades took place between 1095 and 1291, when Christian armies fought to seize Jerusalem and the surrounding area from Islamic rule.
Kick it Out, a charity campaigning against racism and discrimination in football advised not to wear the dress as it may offend the hosts and in the Islamic Gulf country.
A spokesman from Kick it Out stated: “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.”
The charity also expressed that fans should familiarize themselves with local customs, and encourage fans to take this approach.
Oh yes it’s the “fans who are the essence of the game… we are what makes football” says this England fan dressed as a Crusader in Qatar! Such ‘ambassadors’ for ⚽️?#WorldcupQatar2022 pic.twitter.com/jGqzaHocbJ
— Aamer Anwar✊??️?#BlackLivesMatter (@AamerAnwar) November 22, 2022
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.