Malvern landlord in Qatar backs World Cup alcohol ban

Reg Reynolds, of Barnards Green, has been to both England’s win over Iran and Wales’s draw with the USA with friend Shane Jackson.

And Mr Reynolds says he’s having an amazing time in the desert nation.

“It’s an incredible country with the best transport system and stadiums beyond imagination,” he said.

Mr Reynolds meets a fellow football fan in Qatar (Image: Reg Reynolds)

“It’s very, very safe and very friendly indeed, there is zero crime.”

Mr Reynolds, who spent 30 years as landlord at the Cross Keys in Malvern, is fully behind Qatar’s decision to ban alcohol from its World Cup stadiums.

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“Every country has its own laws, we must obey them as visitors and respect their culture,” he said. “Real fans dont need beer in the ground.

“There were no alcoholic drinks anywhere near any stadium, which was good.

Mr Reynolds in his Hereford shirt in Qatar (Image: Reg Reynolds)

“For me who loves beer as the ex-landlord of the Cross Keys, I much prefer no booze in or around the ground. It causes problems and mixed with drugs you get what happened at the Euros final at Wembley - lawlessness.

“If you were desperate then it is £12.50 a pint in hotel basements, private bars etc. Not for me, especially not in 34C heat.”

Mr Reynolds said flights to Qatar were expensive but that there were a range of hotels to suit all budgets, while food and drink in the fans’ caravan park in Al Messila was “extremely cheap”.

Mr Reynolds said the stadiums in Qatar are amazing (Image: Reg Reynolds)

He also said the England and Wales games were emotional affairs for him.

“England were in ultimate mode, disposed of Iran then got a little sloppy - mind you, it was 31C,” he said.

“The Wales match versus USA was electric - the national anthem put huge tears in my eyes as I thought of my father, who introduced me to football at Hereford United aged six.

Mr Reynolds says fans should respect Qatar's rules and culture (Image: Reg Reynolds)

“I was born in 1966, the last time we actually won it. How fitting to be at a tournament 56 years later with both England and Wales in the same group.”