It’s now official
The Qatari royal family have been pressuring Fifa for an official and complete ban on selling alcohol at all World Cup stadiums and now the decision has been made official.
This comes just two days before the already controversial tournament kicks off.
The host nation – where alcohol sales are typically restricted to foreigners drinking in licenced hotels and restaurants, or non-Muslim residents with special permits in their homes – have put significant pressure on Fifa to stop selling beer at the eight World Cup stadiums.
A source briefed on the decision told Sky News: “These have been long-term discussions, and the overall feeling from everyone involved was that the stadiums need to be for everyone.
“This World Cup is different to others in that a larger number of fans are attending from across the Middle East and South Asia, where alcohol doesn’t play such a large role in the culture. The thinking was that, for many fans, the presence of alcohol would not create an enjoyable experience.
“The fan zones will be different in that some are clearly designated as alcohol-serving, while others are alcohol-free. Fans can decide where they want to go without feeling uncomfortable. At stadiums, this was previously not the case.”
The U-turn means Budweiser – one of the tournament’s largest sponsors – will be unable to sell its beer to fans at games and could put Fifa in breach of a multi-million dollar contract with the company.
Prior to the announcement, The Timesreported that discussions about the issue were believed to be ongoing between Budweiser and Fifa.
The publications added that the removal of sales of Budweiser is now ‘likely’ after the Qatari royals intervened. The New York Times said the intervention was made by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the brother of Qatar’s ruler.
World Cup visitors could buy alcohol in hotels and restaurants, in certain fan zones at certain times.
Anyone who does get drunk could be taken to a special zone to sober up.
Journalists ask England fans in Qatar who their favourite ever England player is… pic.twitter.com/aHXweaXJzJ
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) November 16, 2022
This comes after there was wide-spread speculation that football fans in Qatar have been hired in has mounted after a video surveying members of the ‘Barmy Army’ threw up some interesting results.
However, the Qatar Supreme Committee has rejected claims that they have hired fake fans to promote the tournament on the back of footage showing groups of expats supporting England.
The Guardian reported that they had spoken to several of the fans who said they had come from Kerala but were backing the Three Lions.
Huge number of Indian ex-pats outside the England hotel, awaiting the team’s arrival in Qatar. Spoke to a few of them, and they insist they are not fake fans. Also have shown us murals of England players they have drawn back in Kerala pic.twitter.com/YlQQMOnPad
— Sean Ingle (@seaningle) November 15, 2022
Other locals have been seen chanting for other nations such as Argentina and Brazil.
A statement from the Supreme Committee said that the allegations were “disappointing and surprising.”
They said: “Fans from all over the world – many of whom have made Qatar their home – have contributed to the local atmosphere recently, organising fan walks and parades throughout the country, and welcoming the various national teams at their hotels.
“Numerous journalists and commentators on social media have questioned whether these are ‘real’ fans. We thoroughly reject these assertions, which are both disappointing and unsurprising.
In the viral video, dozens of England supporters can be heard chanting “It’s coming home” as well “Southgate is our super coach! Sterling is our super star! Pickford is our super keeper!”
Related links:
- Joe Lycett gives David Beckham a £10,000 ultimatum over Qatar World Cup
- Qatar accused of paying ‘fake supporters’ to be fans at the 2022 World Cup
- Sepp Blatter admits Qatar World Cup was ‘a mistake’
