Fears over plans to send thousands of ‘trigger-happy troops’ from Pakistan to the World Cup

Pakistan will send 4,500 soldiers to act as hired muscle at the Qatar World Cup – prompting fears rowdy Britons could find themselves in hot water for any perceived antisocial behaviour.

England fans have gained a reputation over the years for partying too hard before, during and after tournaments, sparking riots in host countries and prompting calls to have the national team banned from future international competitions.

There have been repeated warnings for fans to exercise caution at this year’s event. Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup but the small nation has come under intense scrutiny for its human rights record and strict social laws. Travelling fans have been urged to respect the customs of the host nation.

Today, Pakistan’s army revealed 4,500 troops have been deployed to serve as security for the 1.2 million fans expected to descend on Doha before kick off on November 20.

A senior army officer told The Telegraph the troops ‘will be deployed on duties inside and outside venues in the way deemed fit by the Qatar authorities’. Most of them will be armed.

Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Center, told the publication the decision is ‘certainly a risk’.

‘The last thing [Pakistan’s army] needs is a new embarrassment, such as a case of nervous, trigger-happy troops, in an environment they’re not familiar with, acting in a way that leads to violence.’

Today, Pakistan’s army revealed 4,500 troops have been deployed to serve as security for the 1.2 million fans expected to descend on Doha before kick off on November 20

Qatar has been slammed for its human rights record and the conditions in which thousands of migrant workers have been subjected to as they build the tournament’s infrastructure 

The English Football Association was charged in 2021 over chaotic scenes at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium which saw fans throwing objects, invade the pitch and boo the Italian national anthem

Eight FIFA officials travelled to Pakistan in September to offer the troops official security training.

Up to 4,000 England fans are expected to travel to Qatar for the group stages of the tournament – and this number will likely increase if the Three Lions progress to the knockout stages. 

In the past Britons have drawn the ire of host nations for running amok win, lose or draw – often destroying pubs, starting riots and trashing the streets.

The English Football Association was charged in 2021 over chaotic scenes at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium which saw fans throwing objects, invade the pitch and boo the Italian national anthem.

Furious fans took to the streets to riot after England lost on penalties, and carnage ensued with violent scenes in London’s Leicester Square and Wembley.   

Police made 86 arrests on the evening of the match, including 53 at Wembley, for a number of offences including public order offences, ABH, drunk and disorderly and criminal damage. A total of 19 officers were injured.

Meanwhile in 2004, Portuguese authorities were horrified after the Euro tournament descended into chaos. 

England’s striker Harry Kane will captain the team in Qatar. Kane was first named captain of England just before the 2018 World Cup, where he finished the competition as the top goal scorer. He’s largely considered one of the best strikers in the world

Leicester City midfielder James Maddison (left) has forced his way into the squad following a three-year absence. It comes a year after welcoming his first son with partner Kennedy Alexa. Meanwhile Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, who plays as a winger, left-back, or midfielder, will also be there. In September, Saka was named England player of the year for 2021/2022 – becoming the first Arsenal player to take out the top honours 

Trent Alexander-Arnold (left), who plays as a right-back for Premier League club Liverpool, has had good news after England named their squad for the 2022 World Cup. He also featured in the 2018 World Cup, where he became just the fourth teenager to start a match in the tournament. More controversially, Harry Maguire, who plays as a centre-back for Manchester United, is also in the squad. Maguire is fourth choice for his club and has only started three Premier League matches this season

Hundreds of fans – many of whom were wearing England jerseys, sparked violent brawls about 1.30am, prompting warnings from the English Football Association that the nation’s place in the tournament was contingent on good behaviour.

On that occasion – like many others – trouble began when groups of fans assembled in the streets and in nearby bars and clubs, chanting and singing team songs.

They blocked roads and caused a ruckus and eventually began throwing bottles and chairs at police. 

Reinforcements were called and baton-wielding police tried to disperse the increasingly aggressive crowd. Smaller groups broke off and started turning on one another. 

It took officers several hours to regain control of the crowd and break up the many melees.

Three England fans who were deported after the incident were summoned to return to Portugal to face riot charges. They faced five years imprisonment if convicted. 

Furious fans took to the streets to riot after England lost on penalties, and carnage ensued with violent scenes in London’s Leicester Square and Wembley 

Police made 86 arrests on the evening of the match, including 53 at Wembley, for a number of offences including public order offences, ABH, drunk and disorderly and criminal damage. A total of 19 officers were injured 

One fan spent two-and-a-half years in a Portuguese prison after the incident. He has always maintained he was not given a fair trial, and did not understand proceedings.

And when England played in Marseille in June 15, 1998, the actions of fans brought shame on the entire nation.

For almost two days and nights there were brawls between the English and Tunisians, the English and French police and at times between rival, drunken English groups.

Police used tear gas almost continually for 12 hours. By the end of the ordeal, more than 100 arrests had been made and 30 people were taken to hospital.

There were four stabbings, dozens of assaults, theft on a grand scale and a final nail in the coffin of England’s bid to host the 2006 World Cup. 

Violence flared again in Marseille in 2016, as England fans who had been drinking for most of the day in the Old Port district threw bottles at French officers, who again used tear gas to disperse them.

The police, who wore full riot gear, were seen marching towards the hundreds of supporters who ran away down the street.

Portuguese police hit an English football fan amid high tensions after the Euro 2004 Championships

Later Russian fans joined the brawl, with drunken youths goading each other into fist fights. Witnesses said anyone who fell to the floor was kicked repeatedly.

One police source at the time told MailOnline: ‘Once again the English fans have been drinking strong beer all day and cannot deal with alcohol.’ 

The Union of European Football Associations repeatedly warned in the wake of several major controversies that the English national team faced being sent home in disgrace if acts of violence among fans continued. 

Britain have pledged Royal Navy support to Qatar during the impending World Cup, while Turkey will provide 3,000 riot police and sniffer dogs.

But there are still concerns over potential cultural misunderstandings which could spark issues for rowdy English fans, even if they’re not breaking any laws.

Chief constable Mark Roberts, England’s national lead for football policing, last month said: ‘It’s a World Cup in a very different part of the world with a very different culture.

‘One of my fears is that supporters not wishing to cause problems may act in a way that inadvertently causes offence or draws attention. Equally there may be perceptions on the part of either Qatari police or the supporting Turkish police where there’s this misapprehension of what supporters are doing.

‘We’re all there as guests of the Qataris so it’s their operation.’ 

.England and Tunisian fans clash on the streets of Marseille during the England v Tunisia in 1998. 

For almost two days and nights there were brawls between the English and Tunisians, the English and French police and at times between rival, drunken English groups 

There are also concerns about the potential treatment of LGBTQI+ fans, given homosexuality is illegal in Qatar.

Organisers have repeatedly said everyone is welcome in Qatar during the World Cup.

Qatar is the first Middle Eastern country to host the World Cup but the small nation has come under intense pressure in recent years for its treatment of foreign workers and restrictive social laws.

The country’s human rights record has led to calls for teams and officials to boycott the November 20 – December 18 tournament.

England and Wales – among a host of other nations – plan to wear rainbow-coloured armbands at the tournament with the words ‘One Love’ etched across them. 

Qatar World Cup chief executive Nasser Al Khater last month said that gay supporters were welcome in the country but once again warned of the nation’s differing cultural norms.

‘Everyone will feel safe in Qatar,’ Al-Khater told Sky News.

‘We have always said that everyone is welcome here. What we ask for is respect for our culture.’

The Union of European Football Associations repeatedly warned in the wake of several major controversies that the English national team faced being sent home in disgrace if acts of violence among fans continued