Qatar risks disappointing many supporters who will travel to the emirate for the World Cup. While everything was tied up with Fifa to authorize the consumption of beers in a regulated way before and after the matches, Qatar would have finally chosen that the only drinks, on sale in the stadiums during the month of the World Cup, would be alcohol-free. . This decision, which is sure to cause controversy, was confirmed by an official of the Organizing Committee to the New York Times.
Fifa has also announced that alcohol will be banned near stadiums for supporters. “Following discussions between the authorities of the host country and Fifa”, it was decided to “remove beer sales outlets from the perimeters of the stadiums” and to “concentrate the sale of alcoholic beverages” in the fan zones and authorized establishments, specifies the FIFA press release, without giving the reasons for such a decision.
It is a very surprising choice with serious consequences just 48 hours before the opening match of the 2022 World Cup between Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday (5 p.m.). Incidentally, this risks putting FIFA in great difficulty, which has signed a sponsorship agreement of 72 million euros with Budweiser, the official beer brand of the World Cup. The official fan guide, however, stated that “ticket holders will have access to Budweiser, Budweiser Zero and Coca-Cola products within the stadium perimeter” for at least three hours before games and for one hour after.
Beer available in deluxe suites?
But for the past few days in Qatar, dozens of red Budweiser-branded beer tents have been seen moving to more discreet locations in the eight World Cup stadiums, out of the way of most crowds. attending matches. If the ban on selling alcohol to fans is upheld in stadiums, beer should still be available in the luxury suites reserved for Fifa officials and other wealthy guests.
Qatar has been grappling with the alcohol problem ever since the tiny Gulf country was awarded the World Cup host in 2010. Alcohol is available in the country, but sales are strictly controlled. Most visitors, even before the World Cup, were only allowed to buy beer and other alcoholic beverages from bars in upscale hotels and at very high prices.