A British football fan has allegedly been detained in the UAE after wearing a Qatar shirt to an Asian Cup game
Ali Issa Ahmad, 26, was on holiday in the Emirates and a friend said he was arrested after attending an Asian Cup match on January 22.
This match was between Qatar and Iran, with Mr Ahmad attending and wearing a Qatar shirt.
According to the friend, Mr Ahmad said he was initially arrested over the shirt then held on suspicion of falsely alleging violence against security officials, the Guardian reported.
Amer Lokie told the Guardian: "He didn’t sound good when he spoke to me on the phone. He was speaking very slowly and he sounded very frightened.
"We are all so worried about him. This is very serious."
He also said he was "shocked" the situation allegedly unfolded from the wearing of a t-shirt.
The UAE authorities announced in June 2017 that "showing sympathy for Qatar on social media or by any other means of communication is an offence".
Those guilty of this could be imprisoned and subjected to fines.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are providing assistance to a British man arrested in the UAE and are in talks with the local authorities."
In its advice for travelling to the UAE, the Foreign Office states: "Laws and customs are very different to those in the UK. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times. There may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK."
According to the reports, the UAE embassy is looking into the situation and the Standard has contacted it for comment.
