FIFA has confirmed that no alcohol would be served in Qatar World Cup stadiums
Only two days before the World Cup begins in Qatar, FIFA declared that no alcohol will be served in the eight stadiums that will host the tournament’s 64 matches. “Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, it was decided to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations, and licensed venues, removing beer sales points from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeter,” according to a FIFA statement. The Muslim country is seen as very conservative, with strict controls over alcohol sales and consumption. In September, Qatar announced that ticketed supporters will be able to purchase alcoholic beverages at World Cup soccer events beginning three hours before kickoff and ending one hour after the final whistle, but not during the game. There will be no influence on the sale of Bud Zero, which will be accessible at all Qatar World Cup venues,” said FIFA. “Host nation authorities and FIFA will continue to guarantee that all supporters have a pleasurable, respectful, and pleasant experience in the stadiums and surrounding areas.”
While some fans may be relieved that the stadiums are alcohol-free, others, some others are perplexed and frustrated. Someone said, “It’s the World Cup, it’s football, you need to be allowed to drink outside the stadium. I just don’t believe they’re doing enough to attract fans.”
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) criticized the timing of the move to prohibit the selling of beer to most football supporters.
“Some fans enjoy a beer during a game, while others do not,” stated an FSA representative. “The actual issue is the last-minute U-turn, which speaks to a larger issue – the absolute lack of communication and transparency from the organizing committee towards supporters.”
“If they can alter their minds on this at the drop of a hat, with no explanation, supporters will understandably be concerned about whether they will keep other pledges related to housing, transportation, or cultural issues.”
Ryan, an Arsenal fan in Qatar for the World Cup, expressed his displeasure with the late alteration. “It’s not ideal,” he told BBC Sport, “but from what I gather, there will be alternative places to drink.” Football is football, and drinking with your friends is part of the culture, but there’s no use in whining about it.
“They had 12 years to plan it, and I don’t believe having so many last-minute adjustments bodes well.” We have to get on with it as supporters.”
The action, according to Ben Peppi, director of sports services at JMW Solicitors, is “hugely detrimental” to FIFA’s reputation.
“For future tournaments, brands will walk extremely carefully around FIFA,” he told CNN Sport. “Because if they flip around two days before the largest global athletic event that they host and say, ‘you can’t do this and you can’t do that,’ and break that deal, it’s not going to offer any new brand any security.”
The 2022 Qatar World Cup runs from November 20 until December 18.
By Yimeng CHEN
