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| Briton held in UAE 'after wearing Qatar football shirt' | Briton held in UAE 'after wearing Qatar football shirt' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A British football fan has been arrested and detained in the United Arab Emirates after reportedly wearing a Qatar team shirt to a match. | A British football fan has been arrested and detained in the United Arab Emirates after reportedly wearing a Qatar team shirt to a match. |
| Ali Issa Ahmad, 26, from Wolverhampton, is said to have been unaware of a law against "showing sympathy" for Qatar - brought in over a diplomatic dispute. | Ali Issa Ahmad, 26, from Wolverhampton, is said to have been unaware of a law against "showing sympathy" for Qatar - brought in over a diplomatic dispute. |
| A friend says he was later accused of making false claims about officials. | A friend says he was later accused of making false claims about officials. |
| The Foreign Office said it was providing assistance to a UK citizen and was in touch with UAE authorities. | The Foreign Office said it was providing assistance to a UK citizen and was in touch with UAE authorities. |
| The UAE and other countries in the region are currently engaged in a political and diplomatic stand-off with Qatar after they accused the state of supporting radical and Islamist groups. | The UAE and other countries in the region are currently engaged in a political and diplomatic stand-off with Qatar after they accused the state of supporting radical and Islamist groups. |
| On its website, the Foreign Office warns travellers to the UAE of a June 2017 announcement "that showing sympathy for Qatar on social media or by any other means of communication is an offence. Offenders could be imprisoned and subject to a substantial fine". | On its website, the Foreign Office warns travellers to the UAE of a June 2017 announcement "that showing sympathy for Qatar on social media or by any other means of communication is an offence. Offenders could be imprisoned and subject to a substantial fine". |
| Arsenal fan Mr Ahmad is said to have travelled to the UAE for a holiday. He was arrested after Qatar played Iraq on 22 January. | Arsenal fan Mr Ahmad is said to have travelled to the UAE for a holiday. He was arrested after Qatar played Iraq on 22 January. |
| According to a friend, quoted by the Guardian, he was assaulted by security officials after being released. | According to a friend, quoted by the Guardian, he was assaulted by security officials after being released. |
| He then reportedly went to a police station to report the incident and was accused of telling lies and detained. | He then reportedly went to a police station to report the incident and was accused of telling lies and detained. |
| The UAE embassy in London said it was unable to comment specifically on the case, but "allegations of human rights violations are taken extremely seriously and will be thoroughly investigated." | The UAE embassy in London said it was unable to comment specifically on the case, but "allegations of human rights violations are taken extremely seriously and will be thoroughly investigated." |
| A spokesman added: "As the 1.5m British citizens who visit the UAE each year know, we are a country built on the rule of law and respect for individuals." | A spokesman added: "As the 1.5m British citizens who visit the UAE each year know, we are a country built on the rule of law and respect for individuals." |
| Shoes thrown | Shoes thrown |
| A land, air and sea blockade of Qatar by a number of its neighbouring countries meant there were very few fans of the Gulf State in attendance during its Asian Cup matches. | A land, air and sea blockade of Qatar by a number of its neighbouring countries meant there were very few fans of the Gulf State in attendance during its Asian Cup matches. |
| When Qatar knocked the UAE out in the semi-final, objects and shoes were thrown at their players. | When Qatar knocked the UAE out in the semi-final, objects and shoes were thrown at their players. |
| Qatar went on to win the tournament, defeating Japan 3-1 in the final on 1 February. | Qatar went on to win the tournament, defeating Japan 3-1 in the final on 1 February. |