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FIFA Club World Cup: Advice for travelling supporters

LFC

Liverpool Football Club appreciates the dedication and loyalty of our travelling fans. Below is general advice and information which you may find helpful when planning your trip to Qatar for the FIFA Club World Cup.

Laws and Customs

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice:

  • Visitors to Qatar should be aware of the below travel information, as outlined on the FCO travel webpage (current as of October 25, 2019). It is recommended you review this information and any updates that are posted on their website before departure. We advise that you sign up for email alerts on the link above for updated information.
  • Qatar is a conservative country based on Sharia (Islamic) law. Visitors should familiarise themselves with local laws and customs prior to travel and be mindful that behaviours that are acceptable in the UK might be considered offensive in Doha.

Dress code

  • While locals wear thobes and abayas, tourists are free to embrace their clothing of comfort as long as it is modest and respectful to the culture.
  • Women should ensure shoulders and knees are covered in public. 
  • In certain places such as Government buildings, National Museums and Doha’s renowned Souq Waqif, you will be expected to wear conservative attire. If you are wearing shorts or beach attire, it is likely you will be asked to cover up at these places.
  • Any fan who removes a shirt in a public location such as a market place, shop, park or museum (i.e. away form a beach/pool/private residence) will be asked to cover up and respect the local cultural norms in Qatar. 

Public displays of affection

  • Public displays of affection are not part of Qatari culture and therefore locals expect visitors from all backgrounds to respect the local culture and customs. 
  • Please note that any intimacy in public may lead to arrest. 
  • Sexual relations outside of marriage are not permitted in Qatar and as such, opposite-sex couples may be asked to provide a marriage certificate when checking into their hotel room. 

LGBT

Alcohol/drugs

  • In Qatar it is considered an offence to drink alcohol or be drunk in public, although alcohol is available at licensed restaurants and bars.
  • Please note that it is also illegal to bring alcohol into the country.
  • There is zero tolerance towards drugs in Qatar - bringing in drugs to the country or being found in possession of drugs will result in lengthy prison sentences.

Health

  • Ensure you have adequate travel insurance before you go as excellent health care is available to visitors but can be expensive in Qatar. 
  • If you are bringing prescription medication into the country keep it in the original packaging along with the doctor's prescription and an official letter signed and stamped by your doctor stating the type of medication and why it’s required.
  • Take care if you have any respiratory issues as the air quality in Qatar is considered low by UK standards. Always consult your GP before travel. 

Other important information

  • Your passport should be kept with you at all times.
  • We have been advised that there are many hotels in the popular West Bay district of Doha. There are many other options, including hotels near Katara Cultural Village and The Pearl-Qatar.
  • UK nationals (with ordinary passports) get a tourist visa-waiver upon arrival in Qatar which is valid for up to 30 days. Check the expiry date on your passport as it must be valid for 6 months from your date of entry. For other passports, visit the State of Qatar Ministry of Interior website for further information.
  • There are many options when getting around Qatar - including buses, taxis and car hire. Visit the Qatar National Tourism Council’s ‘Getting Around’ page for further information. 
  • Note: if you plan on hiring a car you will need to get a 1968 International Driving Permit from the Post Office. Also review the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ‘Road Travel’ webpage as road safety is a concern for visitors to Qatar which has a very high fatality rate for road accidents.
  • Ensure you settle all hotel, restaurant, car hire or other bills before departing the country. Non-payment of debt is a criminal offence in Qatar, punishable by imprisonment.
  • Be mindful when taking pictures. Sensitive sites like government buildings, embassies, mosques and construction sites are off-limits. Some Qatari females may object to being photographed. If in doubt, seek permission.

Important matchday information

The FIFA Club World Cup Fan Zone, in partnership with Alibaba Cloud, will run at Doha Sports Park (next to Doha Golf Club).

Getting to the stadium

  • Stadium address: Khalifa International Stadium Al Waab St, Doha, Qatar.
  • During the FIFA Club World Cup, all stadiums will be served by the Doha Metro. A single trip on Doha Metro will cost just QAR 2 (£0.45 / $0.50), while a day ticket will cost QAR 6 (£1.30 / $1.65). Information regarding the Doha Metro can be found here. 
  • Metro travel is free on match days on production of a match ticket.
  • Please also be aware that the Metro operates family-only carriages for female travellers.
  • The Shuttle Bus service will run from the FIFA Fan Park. The Shuttle bus service is free on production of match ticket and is accessibility friendly.
  • Taxis are a convenient and inexpensive way of getting around Qatar. A taxi from Hamad International Airport to Doha city centre will take approximately 20 minutes and cost approximately QAR 50-60 (£11-13 / $13/15). Uber and other taxi hailing apps (Careem / Mowasalat) are available in Qatar and are generally very efficient and inexpensive.

At the stadium 

  • LFC supporters will enter the East Stand of the stadium via gates 2,4 and 5 . Supporters with accessibility tickets enter via gates 26 & 29. These are accessed via Pedestrian Search Areas (PSAs): PSA 1&2 from the Metro, PSA 3&4 from shuttle bus, taxis and car parks.
  • Do not take photographs inside of the search tents.
  • No bags over 75 cms in any dimension are permitted into the stadium, there are free of charge bag drops at the entrance points.
  • Drop-off and pick-up points have been identified within the park and ride/shuttle bus area.
  • The outer perimeter of the stadium will be open from three hours before kick-off. 
  • Gates will open three hours before kick-off. Ticket check and searches will be in operation.
  • Banner / Flag – 2 x 1.5 meters Flexible plastic poles – no longer than 1 m and no more than 1 cm in diameter. For any other items (bigger flags and banners, musical instruments, etc.) please email fan2019@sc.qa with the details and you will be provided with the procedure for approving banners and flags.
  • The stadium operates a cash only policy for refreshments. Alcohol will not be served on the concourses.
  • Volunteers will also be on hand to direct disabled fans to their seats and other amenities within the stadium.

Post-match

  • Post match the shuttle service will return to both the Fan Park and also into Doha.
  • The Metro will also return into Doha.

Emergency numbers

Consulate information

Information from Merseyside Police

  • A team of Merseyside Police Officers will be operationally deployed overseas. The officers are there at the invitation of the Qatari Police and have no powers whilst deployed. The primary function of the team is to advise the local Police service and gather and disseminate information.
  • If you have any issues whilst you are at this match that you feel need bringing to the attention of the delegation, please telephone +44 151 709 6010 (Merseyside Police Switch Board) and ask the call taker to email Constable 8070 Lee Lomax (Football Officer). Constable Lomax has access to his e-mails and will return your call. 

Supporter Liaison Officer (SLO)

  • To assist those supporters who are attending away matches both domestically and overseas, a dedicated fan support telephone number and email address has been introduced which is available for travelling fans attending away fixtures (this line of communication is for urgent matters relating to the game only).
  • This line / email will be made available two hours before kick-off and will be open until one hour after final whistle.  Outside of these times, there will be a recorded message facility available for travelling fans to record any issues with regard to the game.
  • The telephone number is 0151 230 5770 (From abroad +44 151 230 5770) and the email address is slo@liverpoolfc.com. For data protection purposes please include your full name, membership number and D.O.B.
  • FIFA Club World Cup
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