As fan frenzy peaks with FIFA World Cup reaching its crescendo, the police authorities in Sharjah and Ajman have mounted vigil to crack down on illegal betting during screening of the matches.

All cafes, tents, restaurants, hotels, clubs as well as labour accommodations where fans gather to watch the matches are under watch. It is at these locations that clandestine betting could trigger violence.

We are fully braced up to quell any untoward incidents that may spark due to heated arguments over matches, police sources said.

Major General Saif Al Shamsi, commander-in-chief of Sharjah Police, said as part of the police plan to combat any untoward incident caused by betting, the police have taken special precautionary measures to ensure safety during the FIFA matches. A number of patrols have been intensified in areas where fans come in hordes. "Gambling and betting are not allowed in Sharjah. The police will not tolerate those who are found involved in such illegal activities," he warned.

He urged residents to report by calling 901 any disturbance caused by fans at or near restaurants or cafeterias in residential areas.

The Ajman Police have also chalked out special plans to tackle betting during FIFA matches. The plan includes mounting patrols around cafes, cafeteria and restaurants that screen these matches.

The police are keeping an eye on around 50 cafes which beam the matches on big screens, sources pointed out.

A top official at Ajman Police said till now, they have not received any report of violence related to FIFA matches, except some skirmishes. Patrols have been deployed at spots where fans gather, he added. "The complaints of quarrels among fans are being attended to almost on a daily basis by police patrols, which have increased inspections at all the cafes where the matches are being shown.'

'They just want to make fast bucks'
Khalid Taha, a resident in Sharjah, said some fans create a lot of noise and disturb others, but the patrols around the area have warned them several times to stop annoying the locals in residential areas. There are many fans who bet on matches, but nothing unruly has happened, he added.

Some cafe workers said customers hailing from various nationalities gather in their cafes and bet with huge amounts of money and they argue in different languages including Arabic and English. They also indulge in verbal duels over betting, they said. They don't pay or flaunt cash inside the cafes and in front of other fans, but settle it later.

"Some of them bet silently to avoid being spotted by the police because it is illegal in Ajman," said Mohammed Zakir, a café staff at Stars Cafes.

Alam Al Deen, a Sharjah resident who visits cafes to watch football matches, said there are many fans - especially of Arab nationalities - who are into betting. Some fans lose huge sums of money and create a lot of trouble, but the fear of police around the area forces them to quiet down.

Saif Al Matroushi, who regularly watches matches at a cafe in Ajman, said there are a few fans who are involved in betting at the football screening spots, but most resort to online betting. "There's always some tension between those who win and those who lose at the end of every match," he pointed out.

Atif Ali, a Sharjah resident, said many people who go to the cafes for matches are not really fans of the game, but instead watch matches to bet and their aim is to make just fast bucks.

Mohammed Mujeeb, an employee at a cafe in Al Nuaimia in Ajman, said several people bet on the matches and get into heated arguments. "These betters get into fights and spoil the match for the rest of the fans."

A manager of a cafe on Sheikh Khalifa Road in Ajman, who did not wish to be named, said he knows fans of Arab nationalities who bet on amounts ranging from Dh1,000 to 10,000. Some gamble on Dh100-Dh500, he added.

"As the cafe manager, I cannot intervene and stop them because if I do, they will not come to my place and I would lose customers. But if ever violence breaks out on the premises, I call the police immediately."

Mohammed  Al Turaifi, an Islamic preacher, said, "Betting, even for charitable causes, is forbidden in Islam."

SOURCE : KHALEEJTIMES