World Cup drugs bust as ‘pills known for football addiction seized’

Qatar: Officials regretting successful World Cup 2022 bid

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Customs officials have reportedly intercepted a smuggler attempting to carry thousands of opiate pills, which are notorious with footballer addiction, into Qatar. The 2022 World Cup hosts have strict laws on drug possession with the perpetrator set to appear before the courts. 

The Qatari drugs bust took place at Hamad International airport, where officers inspected a passenger’s luggage after growing suspicious. They eventually seized just shy of 2,000 tramadol pills and almost half a kilogram of hashish. 

Punishment for drug possession in Qatar can include prison sentences, fines and deportation. Tramadol, an opioid pain medication, is controversial in sporting circles as numerous athletes have complained about becoming addicted to the painkiller. 

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has already moved to ban Tramadol, although that won’t come into effect until 2024. The high-profile Qatar drugs bust, as reported by The Daily Mail, took place just two days after the World Cup got underway in the Middle East. 

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Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is among those to have spoken out on his struggles with painkiller addiction, and he’s not convinced about WADA’s decision to delay the ban for another two years. 

“I can only speak from experience and it should be banned a lot quicker than that,” he told The Telegraph. “I’m five months clean and feel great having been on it for 10 years in massive doses. It’s as dangerous as cocaine for me and that’s already banned, so Tramadol should be as well, as soon as possible.

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“There will still be players that won’t come out and say anything because they might be scared of the repercussions. There are players that are on appearance bonuses, and if they don’t play they don’t get paid — not so much at the top level but League One, League Two. People have mortgages to pay.”

Qatari organisers have taken a tough stance on various issues as the first Middle-Eastern nation to host a World Cup. Their alcohol policy was prominently debated in the lead-up to the tournament, as fans were given false hope that regulations and prices would be relaxed during the four-week period. 

The Qatar royal family supposedly pressured FIFA to ban the sale of alcohol in and around stadiums just before the tournament started. Key sponsors Budweiser were subsequently left high and dry with thousands of units piled up and poised to go to waste. 

Supporters are only able to get hold of beer in designated fan parks, where a 500ml glass of Budweiser will set them back just under £11.60 and purchases are limited to four per person. 

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