England's Qatar World Cup finals HQ, according to a sports travel guru.David Hancock, who has inspected the Souq Al-Wakra Hotel 10 miles from the Gulf state's capital Doha warned Three Lions' stars 'may well be in for a shock'.
He said there was no swimming pool, private beach, or booze, and - with England hoping to spend the entire five-week tournament there - the 'boredom factor is going to register very highly'.The layout of the rooms in separate blocks could allow players from the same clubs to 'build their own kingdoms' - allowing 'cliques' to form within the squad.
If they do venture out there will be 'no hiding' as they will have to share a public beach and 'run down' alcohol-free cafes nearby with locals.For training, the players will have to travel to a football academy 2km away - through a 'busy market'.
David said of three possible bases on England's shortlist that he inspected it was the worst - and cheapest at around £85-a-night."Over the last 20 years or so as the England players have got increasingly cosseted they may well be in for a shock as the boredom factor is going to register very highly on the radar," he wrote in a blog. "There is of course no alcohol at the hotel or the seafront restaurants and cafes that sit nestled up against the walls of the hotel.
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