Fans of Fluminense Face Challenges in Saudi Arabia for Club World Cup: Outfits, Traditions, and Strict Rules

In a group of fans of the Fluminense going to Saudi Arabia, a warning statement is released. Staying on the edge of the Red Sea, in Jeddah, they will not be able to wear bikinis or enter the sea. And they will not be able to go to the hotel hall that has the swimming pool, exclusively for men. Hosting the Club World Cup, the country is one of the most restrictive in the world regarding women’s rights.

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O ge spoke to fans who will travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming days. They are unanimous in saying that “if it weren’t for the Fluminensewould hardly go to the country.” This is the case of Luma Queiroz, who has clothing as his biggest concern. In the country, there are fines in cases of disrespect for local customs and traditions — they must be modest, discreet, covering shoulders and knees, and do not have prints, images or symbols.

— I was at a bazaar and bought some clothes below the knee. A skirt that doesn’t show the knee. A pair of pants that are very wide. I’m taking with me some blouses from Fluminense, not just the traditional ones. But for fear of finding them short, I’m going to use the men’s ones, because they’re bigger. I also looked for Arabic clothes, veils, but I couldn’t find them. On Saturday, I’ll be arriving in Jeddah and I’ll try to buy clothes — he says.

1 of 2 Luma Queiroz — Photo: Personal Archive Luma Queiroz — Photo: Personal Archive

Another concern Luma shares with her boyfriend, Josué. The country’s rules do not allow physical contact with a spouse or partner in a way that could be interpreted as sexual in nature (hugs or kisses on the mouth) in public places.

Saudi Arabia is an Islamic country, where the possession, trade and consumption of alcohol are completely prohibited. Penalties for crimes are severe and can include imprisonment, deportation and, in cases classified as drug trafficking, the death penalty. Even if the Fluminense is world champion, the celebration will have to be done in a different way.

— I will have complete discretion. I’m avoiding everything. We’re in the Club World Cup, so not being able to have beer is very complicated. I’m a very consumer. My team can be world champions and I can’t drink. This is something unacceptable to me — adds Luma.

2 of 2 Daniela Lin — Photo: Personal Archive Daniela Lin — Photo: Personal Archive

In Jeddah, around 300 fans of the Fluminense are organizing themselves to participate in an event at a steakhouse, organized by tricolor Daniela Lin. Used to traveling, she knows that the meeting will have to be adapted due to Saudi Arabian rules. To find the best model, she asked female guides for help, precisely out of fear.

— We are doing several groups with itineraries, a trip to Medina, Mecca, between one game and another. We are going to take around 100 people to Medina. When hiring a guide, we chose a female guide, precisely because their customs are different from ours. We need to communicate and they won’t pay you as much attention. With men, it’s different. I’m going (to the World Cup) because it’s the Fluminense. If not, I wouldn’t go.

According to the Fans’ Guide published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there is no need to wear a veil. However, apostasy (renouncing a religion), blasphemy and atheism, for example, are punishable crimes. The public exercise of other religions is prohibited, as is the display of their symbols, such as the Bible.

Same-sex relationships, even if consensual, are criminalized in Saudi Arabia. Violations of Saudi laws dealing with displays of affection between people of the same gender, as well as displays of support for the LGBTQIAPN+ cause, including on social media, are subject to severe punishment. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment and even death sentences.

— I travel a lot, but a place with so many restrictions on women’s rights is difficult for me. It was only in 2019 that women were able to go to football matches there. It’s a challenge — adds Daniela.

O Fluminense will do four training sessions before their debut in the competition, on Monday, at 3pm (Brasília time), against the winner of Al-Ahly (Egypt) x Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia). Flu ends its participation in the competition on the 22nd to compete in the final or third place, against Manchester City (England), Urawa Reds (Japan) or León (Mexico).

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2023-12-14 07:01:23
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