Former Miss Croatia doesn't fear arrest over controversial World Cup outfits

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By Asiya Ali

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A Croatian model has insisted she feels comfortable wearing her bold World Cup outfits without fear of imprisonment in Qatar.

According to Doha Guides, the tournament's host nation has come under fire for many reasons, including the strict modesty rules that foreign female visitors are expected to adhere to.

Initially, model Ivana Knoll -  who boasts over 780,000 followers on Instagram -  said that she was displeased with the Gulf state's dress code regulations.

However, as reported by the Independent, the 26-year-old influencer has revealed that despite her donning a long red and white checked dress, with a low-cut v-neck, officials are "not making any problems" for her.

Check out her outfit below: 

The Croatia supporter has been taking to the social media platform to update her almost 1 million followers of her numerous outfit choices during the tournament.

She attended her country's second fixture with Canada in a much shorter red and white checked dress and posed for selfies with supporters ahead of the game.

Her Instagram posts have also displayed her sporting checkered swimsuits and bikinis in support of her nation's remaining games in the World Cup.

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Credit: PA Images / Alamy

In its "Dress Code for Foreign Ladies in Qatar", the Doha Guides states that "skirts and shorts are normal, but try not to wear anything too high or skimpy".

"Wearing spaghetti straps, see-through blouses and transparent clothes are not normal," the guide adds, going on to include "sleeveless tank tops and tight capris" as "not normal".

The guide also recommends that if female visitors feel like an item of clothing may be "too short", then they should "wear leggings underneath".

However, despite initially being "shocked" by the guidelines, Knoll has since revealed that she has been "surprised" by what the authorities have allowed her - and others - to wear to the soccer games, per The Independent.

She states that she has been able to wear whatever she has desired, except in designated areas like government buildings.

While being interviewed outside of the Khalifa International Stadium, Knoll revealed that she has never been afraid of being arrested for donning her favorite outfits in the host nation.

Despite criticisms online, the risky model, who splits her time between Croatia and the United States, said that she has been getting "good" reactions in Doha, with many locals apparently wishing to take photographs with her.

Knoll added that she was used to people asking for pictures and cited at the 2018 World Cup in Russia when she also received attention for her outfits.

The 2022 men's FIFA World Cup marks the first time the tournament has been held in an Arab nation - and although that will always go down in history, the decision to have Qatar host the World Cup has not been without controversy.

Per BBC News, the nation has come under fire ever since it was announced that Qatar would be hosting the tournament back in 2010. The BBC states that the country has been criticized for multiple human rights concerns - including for its treatment of women, LGBTQ+ people, and migrant workers.

As a result, the BBC aired the following introduction prior to the tournament's opening ceremony.

Check out the opening monologue below:

Additionally, after being informed by FIFA that players were forbidden from wearing the LGBTQIA-inclusive 'OneLove' armbands, the players from Germany huddled together for a photo prior to their game with Japan, where they each placed their hands over their mouths, as an indication that they are being silenced.

The team's official Twitter account offered context to the protest: "We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard."

They added: "It wasn’t about making a political statement – human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us. Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice. We stand by our position."

Featured image credit: PA Images / Alamy