Qatar World Cup 2022: UK adopts ‘firm approach’ to stop fans with ‘banning orders’ from travelling to tournament

More than 1,300 UK football fans with "banning orders" in England and Wales are being asked by British authorities to hand in their passports to prevent them from travelling to the World Cup. 

The 1,308 Brits subjected to Football Banning Orders - which are court orders issued after a "football-related offence" such as anti-social behaviour or violence - will be "forced" to hand their passports to police, according to the UK Home Office.  

The British government department issued the measure, which will take effect on 14 October, to stop "any supporter who has previously caused trouble and is deemed likely to do so again" from heading to Qatar for the November kick-off. 

New hardline Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: "We will not let the behaviour of a minority of lawbreakers tarnish what will be an exciting tournament.

"Violence, abuse and disorder is not tolerated here, and this criminal behaviour will not be tolerated at the World Cup which is why we are taking this firm approach," she added. 

Those who refuse to comply and attempt to travel to the Gulf state could face six months in prison as well as a substantial fine, the BBC reported.

There will also be "targeted" operations at ports to identify any previous offenders hoping to travel to Qatar, said the British broadcaster. 

In the 2021-2022 UK football season, 516 new "banning orders" were issued, according to data from the British government released in September. 

The World Cup will take place from 20 November 20 to 18 December. It is expected that over one million spectators will attend the tournament's 64 matches.

"As with all events of this nature, we are working closely with the host authorities on the safety of British nationals attending and on delivering a successful and enjoyable event," Braverman said, according to the Guardian.