Football fans in Qatar have been told to remove any traditional Arab clothing before they enter pubs, over fears it will offend locals.

Security staff at a number of bars throughout Doha have turned away fans for attempting to drink alcohol while clad in traditional Islamic garbs such as robes and headdresses – following complaints from Qataris that it is offensive to their faith.

The sale of alcohol has been severely restricted throughout the Gulf state but is still available in a small number of four and five-star hotels in the area, which have become hotbeds for travelling fans desperate for a drink.

Ankle-length robes known as thawbs are a common form of clothing in Arab nations, and garments decorated in the team colours of the 32 nations playing at the World Cup have been a popular form of dress for visiting fans.

But while the robes have largely been adopted as a show of endearment towards the host nation, Qataris are reportedly less than impressed with the lack of respect shown to Islamic culture by the visitors.

A local named Hamad, who only wanted to give his first name, told MailOnline: ‘While we welcome people trying to appreciate our culture, I find it offensive that they are wearing our traditional dress and drinking alcohol. It should not be allowed.

Arabic robes daubed in the colours of World Cup teams have been a popular form of dress for visiting fans in Qatar (Picture: EPA)

Yet fans have been left upset after being told they can’t drink alcohol while dressed in the robes due to it being considered offensive to locals (Picture: Getty)

‘The thawb and ghutra are a symbol not just of Qatari culture but Islamic culture. I know some people have voiced their concerns to security staff about people drinking alcohol while wearing them.’

His views were echoed by another local named Khalid, who added: ‘I am very proud of my Arabic clothing and happy that fans are wearing it to enjoy themselves at the World Cup. 

‘But having it on while they are getting intoxicated is not acceptable.’

According to local sources, the ban does not apply to fans who are only wearing the ghutra, a traditional Islamic headdress which has been widely adopted by visitors to the city.

One bouncer said: ‘We’ve been told that it’s only fans who are wearing the robe and the headdress who cannot enter and have to change.

‘It seems a bit strict to me because this is a World Cup and everybody is meant to be having a good time. But we are just following orders.’

Yet the thawbs are not the only form of clothing which has caused controversy since the start of the World Cup, after footage emerged of several England fans being turned away from a stadium after arriving dressed up as Crusaders daubed with the flag of St George.

For many years England supporters, across a range of sports, have worn suits of armour and brought fake shields, painted with the cross of St George, as well as swords, to matches.

Yet a statement from anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out warned supporters to be mindful of the connotations such clothing carries in Islamic culture.

A spokesperson for the campaign group said: ‘We would advise fans who are attending Fifa World Cup matches that certain attire, such as fancy-dress costumes representing knights or crusaders, may not be welcomed in Qatar and other Islamic countries.’

Adding more context, journalist and researcher Robert Carter tweeted: ‘The attire, complete with swords and crosses, is offensive due to Crusader history of rape, slaughter and occupation of Arab lands.’

Meanwhile, Iman Atta, director of Tell Mama, a UK project monitoring Islamophobic hate, added: ‘Our fans should be mindful that there are things that may cause offence to Qatari citizens, such as openly drinking or wearing historical Crusader Knights Templar outfits that have very negative implications in the region.

‘We also know that this is not done to purposefully irritate Qataris but out of a desire to support England.

‘However, we firmly believe in the principle that any World Cup should have an environment where fans can be open, enjoy what they want to wear and feel safe and secure.’

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Fans have been told that drinking alcohol in traditional Islamic dress is an insult to their culture.