Merely two days before the World Cup begins, Qatar bans beer at sporting events, frustrating the crowd

Merely two days before the World Cup begins, Qatar bans beer at sporting events, frustrating the crowd

With only two days until the World Cup begins, alcohol sales to spectators at World Cup stadiums in Qatar have been outlawed. Due to Budweiser's sponsoring of FIFA, it was initially the only alcoholic drink currently offered to fans.

However, this will no longer be the case. Alcohol consumption is now prohibited inside the stadium's boundaries, with the sole exception of business supporters.

In a statement issued on Friday, FIFA said that beer sales kiosks had been removed from the stadium's circumference "after consultations involving FIFA and the host country agencies."

It is known that Qatar, as the hosts, is worried about how alcohol sales may affect spectators from other Middle Eastern and Asian countries as well as Qataris whose culture does not support drinking.

                  Alcohol consumption by fans will still be permitted in approved fan regions, but the incident calls into question how much FIFA possesses authority over the competition.

Budweiser, one of its sponsors, will be dissatisfied. It would be fascinating to see what effect this has on the business agreement given that the brewing company reportedly pays FIFA 75 million US dollars (about £62.86 million) every four years to be one of its top-level sponsors.

"Well, this is embarrassing," the corporation tweeted on Friday from its original account before deleting the message.

The decision was made too late, and the Football Supporters' Association criticized the event organizers for their "complete lack of communication."

The last-minute U-turn expresses to a bigger issue - the complete lack of communication and clarification from the organizing committee toward its followers, according to a spokesperson. "Several audiences like a drink at a game, and others don't, but the central concern is the sudden U-turn," the spokesperson said.

 

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"Advocates will have legitimate questions regarding whether they will fulfill other pledges relating to accommodations, transportation, or cultural challenges if they can modify their minds about this at any time, without justification."

                "Having followed conversations among home nation officials and FIFA, a decision was made to concentrate on the selling of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Supporter festival, other supporter locations, and certified places, attempting to remove beer sales points from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium boundary lines," FIFA stated in a statement.

"The sales of Bud Zero is unaffected and will continue to be offered at all of Qatar's World Cup venues.

"The authorities of the host nation and FIFA will continue to make sure that all supporters have a pleasurable, respectful, and rewarding experience in the stadiums and neighboring areas.

"The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 organizers appreciated AB InBev's understanding and ongoing support to our authorized persons to provide to everyone," they said.

Since Qatar earned the right to host in 2010, concerns have been raised about the role that alcohol will play at this year's World Cup. Although Qatar is not a "dry" state like its neighbor Saudi Arabia, it is nonetheless against the law to drink in public areas there.

 

Both from the responsibility area of the airport, tourists cannot enter Qatar with beer in their possession, and the majority cannot purchase alcohol at the lone liquor store in the nation. Some hotels include bars where you can purchase alcohol; a half-liter of beer costs about $15 there.

According to the source, Budweiser will continue to sell alcoholic beer just at main FIFA Viewing Party in the heart of Doha, where a half pint costs roughly $14. Some additional supporter sections will also sell alcohol, while some will not.

"Audiences are free to go anywhere they choose without feeling awkward. This wasn't the case before at stadiums, " as claimed.

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David Paul

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Alphonsus Odumu 6 w

Qatar

 
 
Jubilee Ohwodiasa 1 y

interesting