THE Tartan Army has reacted with disbelief to the confirmation of a total ban on public drinking at the World Cup in Qatar.
Fans took to social media to say there was no point in Scotland even trying to qualify for the 2022 competition.
The Qatari authorities confirmed on Wednesday night that their existing ban on drinking in public places would not be relaxed for the tournament.
Scotland followers are now dreading the irony of qualifying for the first time in 24 years only to face a “dry” tournament.
Sean Donnell said: “This is gonnae be the one we qualify for ye can just f****** see it.”
Ethan Mathewson added: “Guaranteed that will be the one Scotland qualifies for!”
Writing on Facebook, Euan Hepburn commented: “BREAKING: Scotland have abandoned their campaign for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.”
Kevin McLuckie tagged a friend, and said “drinks at your place first then”.
Fintan McCullough suggested that the laws would not stop Scots, joking: “We would be stoned to death getting off that plane lol”.
Ryan McNeil suggested getting political heavyweights involved, writing: “Wait till Trump hears about this.”
William Murphy added: “Better off no qualifying for this then.”
Others joked that under-fire national manager Gordon Strachan was already putting plans in place to ensure the decision did not affect Scots.
Gary Smith said: “Strachan already putting in strategy where we will be boycotting it anyway.”
Darren Thomson quipped: “As if it will have any effect on Scotland come on to f*** lol we will be sat at hame hoping England get pumped.”
Qatari politician Hassan Al-Thawadi told an Arabic newspaper this week that fans would have to drink in “specific and faraway places from the public squares” during the tournament.
Al-Thawadi, Secretary General of Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said he was “personally against the provision of alcohol in stadiums and public places.”
While alcohol is not illegal in Qatar, drinking and sales of beverages are restricted.
Foreign nationals living in the country can apply for a license to consume alcohol and hotels are permitted to serve alcoholic beverages, but drinking outside is not allowed.
The decision to host the competition in Qatar has already caused controversy, with the tournament being moved from its usual summer date, to December, to avoid blistering June temperatures of over 50 degrees celsius.
This has meant the Scottish and English football seasons will have to be altered to accomodate the schedule.
Several hundred construction workers have also died building stadiums for the competition, according to the International Trade Union Confederation.
It was also reported last year that FIFA, the world football governing body, was investigating if bribes influenced the World Cup bid process.
