During the World Cup in Qatar, it’s not just alcohol and sex outside of marriage that is prohibited for football fans… Descent attire is required of ladies for the duration of the competition. And for some, it’s hard to let go of short, tight or too transparent clothes…
“In Europe we respect the hijab and the niqab, I think they should also respect our way of life“
This is how Ivana Knoll caused controversy with her photos and videos in undress in the stadiums and on the beach of Doha. She is a finalist for Miss Croatia in 2016, and she has been a little too exposed in public since the start of the World Cup.
And when she spoke with our colleagues at football.fr, she did not hide her disappointment with the reactions. Coming alone, after having supported her team in Brazil in 2014 and in Russia in 2018, this football enthusiast who was also a soccer goalkeeper, believes that the supporters are well received in Qatar. “They are nice hosts I can’t complain about,” she says, even though “the Qataris are (…) a bit aggressive”.
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Ivana Knoll also admits about the controversy she launched: “I’m sure I was shocked, I didn’t imagine having so much publicity about it. But it’s important to be yourself” . And to add again: “I was angry because I am not a Muslim, and if we in Europe respect the hijab and the niqab, I think they must also respect our way of life, our religion“.
What dress code in Qatar?
As a reminder, if the veil is not compulsory but it is still recommended, especially for women, to “dress modestly”, that is to say, wear clothes from the shoulders to the knees.
FA