Fake off Buying a SIM card, matches at prayer times, dating men and women… What is it really?
The supporters have arrived in Doha, but their number remains limited — Ashley Landis
- A lot of false information is circulating about this World Cup in Qatar. The Fake Off section of 20 Minuteschose to check some of them.
- A publication claims that fans cannot buy a SIM card during the competition, this is false. There are even offers from local operators.
- Other rumors claim that matches cannot be played during prayer. Again false information since Qatar, itself, will play during the sunset prayer and during Isha.
The organization of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is causing a lot of controversy and… fake news. It is therefore advisable to be wary of so-called rules in force in the country during the competition. Each crazier than the other. Obligation to leave the country for supporters whose team has been eliminated? Fake fans hired by Qatar to do the animation? False information seems all the more credible, and has therefore been widely shared in recent months.
This time, it’s a slew of assertions circulating on social networks, accompanied by a photograph of the star players of this world. “Here are the new rules for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar!” These include: “From 18 November the telephone operators will be closed and no supporters are allowed. to buy a SIM card. A Wifi network is available throughout the country.”
Or: “No meeting between girls and boys (outside marriage)”, information very often communicated for several months. Finally, still according to the publication: “No supporter will pay for transport” and, “according to Qatari TV, there will be no matches at prayer time” What are all these claims really about? 20 Minutes takes stock.
FAKE OFF
- No SIM card for supporters? This is wrong.
According to the publication, supporters are not allowed to buy a SIM card. No such information is written black on white. And specific formulas for the competition period are even offered by the two mobile operators available in Qatar: Ooredoo and Vodafone.
The first offers a “free Ooredoo Hayya SIM card” as a “welcome gift”. The information site for entering the territory also indicates: “Access to Free SIM card” a free SIM card. The Hayya card needed to travel to Qatar and to the matches does indeed allow you to obtain a SIM card. The second, Vodafone, offers a multitude of fan packs to be able to access; Internet, SMS and calls. The formulas range from zero to; 40 US dollars.
- No matches during prayer times? This is wrong.
According to a publication, which would report comments from Qatari television, no match can take place during times of prayer. Knowing that there are five each day, this leaves little time for scheduling meetings. It’s actually of false information. The French team will face Tunisia on November 29 at 4 p.m. French time. This is equivalent to a match at; 6 p.m. Doha, or the Isha, last prayer of the day, begins at 6:14 p.m.
Qatar’s team is no exception as they will play against Senegal on November 25, at 4 p.m. local time. The twilight prayer called Maghreb taking place at 4:46 p.m. The same is true for the match against the Netherlands on 29 November. The kick off will be given to 6 p.m. Doha, for a start of the Isha fifteen minutes later.
- Beware of meetings between girls and boys? This is wrong.
This publication also claims that girls and boys will not be able to meet unless they are married. This assertion has made the rounds of social networks, sometimes evoking meetings, or even sexual relations. In reality, at the question: “Are unmarried friends of different genders or couples (including LGBTQ+) allowed to join? stay in the same room?”, the World Cup news site answers, “Yes. There are no restrictions.”
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However, there is indeed a law which specifies that relations outside marriage are totally prohibited in Qatar. But this is not specific to the period of the World Cup. An unmarried couple cannot have intimacy gestures in public, and cannot live under the same roof.
In the event of a violation of this law, individuals risk arrest, possibly prosecution which can lead to a fine or imprisonment and expulsion from the country. But in reality, this law is very little applied, and even less so for tourists or expatriates. It’s never been announced by Qatar a particular application of this rule during the competition.
- Free transport for supporters? It’s true.
All fans could travel to Qatar for free? A bargain considering the price already. important flights and accommodation on site. Indeed, the sesame information site authorizing access to the country specifies: “Hayya card holders can access public transport free of charge from November 10 to 23 December 2022 and at smart trip planning.” This card is mandatory for any foreign supporter wishing to travel to Qatar during the World Cup period, and to attend matches.