FIFA bans English fans from dressing as crusaders at World Cup game

England fans who arrived at matches Crusaders were refused entry from World Cup matches in Qatar as their costumes were deemed to be “offensive to Muslims.”

The Crusades were religious wars, many of which were supported by the Latin Church during the medieval period. Those who fought for the Latin Church were known as Crusaders.

One of these Crusades took place in the Holy Land in the period between 1095 and 1291 and its intention was to recover Jerusalem and its surrounding area from Islamic rule.

Two men dressed as knights were reportedly seen on social media attempting to bypass security before England’s match with Iran on Monday. They were wearing chainmail and helmets bearing St George’s Cross, which is the English flag. The supporters were reportedly carrying novelty swords.

The two men were escorted away by four officers at the security gate before the game kicked-off.

Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out warned fans ahead of The World Cup not to wear this attire, saying: “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 spokesperson added, “Foreign Office travel advice issued before the tournament expressed that fans should familiarize themselves with local customs, and we would encourage fans to take this approach.”

One of the men spoke to TalkTV following England’s 6-2 victory over Iran on Monday.

“The problem is in places like Qatar, the fans are the essence of the game. We are what makes the game,” the unidentified man said. “It’s not the corporates, they help financially in the background, it’s us the fans that make the football and we are the football.”