FIFA said Friday that World Cup organizers have banned the sale of alcohol around stadiums in Qatar after last-minute confrontation talks.
It was first reported in the British newspaper The TimesFIFA and Qatari organizers have been involved in belated negotiations over the sale of beer in stadiums during the tournament, which begins on Sunday.
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FIFA said in a statement: “Following discussions between the host country authorities and FIFA, a decision was taken to focus on the sale of alcoholic beverages at the FIFA Fan Fest, other fan destinations and licensed venues, and to remove beer sales points from the vicinity of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar stadium.”
While fans can purchase alcohol in the official fan areas during competition, the sale of beer at the matches themselves has been a controversial topic.
It appears that an agreement was originally made to allow FIFA to allow Budweiser sponsors to sell beer in stadiums. This was then made more clear in the preparation for the tournament afterwards The New York Times first reported it that the beer tents would be less visible in the ground at the request of the hosts.
However, it turned out that there was late pressure on FIFA to stop selling alcoholic beverages in the stadiums themselves, two days before the start of the host Qatari tournament on Sunday against Ecuador.
FIFA added, “There is no impact on the sale of Pod Zero, which will remain available at all World Cup stadiums in Qatar.”
“The host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that stadiums and their surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and enjoyable experience for all fans.
The tournament organizers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continued support of our shared commitment to meeting everyone’s needs during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”
This is an embarrassing situation…
– Budweiser November 18, 2022
It was the World Cup Awarded to Qatar again in 2010but although the competition will begin in two days, the situation regarding the sale of beer is just one of several last-minute adjustments and childhood troubles occurring in Qatar.
Construction work is underway around the various fan parks, transport hubs and stadiums. Meanwhile, some temporary fan accommodations have come under fire.
There are more luxury options available, such as the ships docked in Doha. In the Old Port, there are already two large passenger ships awaiting boarding, with a third expected on Friday. The port has also undergone reconstruction to provide restaurants and shops for those staying there, but on Thursday construction work was still being carried out at the last minute.
The same goes for metro centers and stadiums, where the buildings and grounds are ready to host but the areas around the facilities are still being finished.
