Beer sales banned at Qatar World Cup venues

Qatar’s eight World Cup stadiums will not sell beer to fans, officials said on Friday, reversing course on alcohol availability two days before the match started.

It had previously been announced that alcohol would be served “at specific locations within stadiums” in Qatar, a Muslim-majority country, despite strict restrictions on the sale of alcohol. . BBC reported.

But things changed after world football’s governing body FIFA made an announcement on Friday. Remove beer selling points from around the FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium in Qatar. ”

According to a National Public Radio report“Qatar first agreed to allow beer sales when it won a bid to host the games in 2010, and reaffirmed that commitment when it signed the deal.”

But as of Friday, those plans have been called off.

However, people in the corporate area of ​​the tournament’s stadium will be able to purchase alcohol, the BBC reported.

World Cup sponsor Budweiser’s first-ever zero-alcohol beer, Bud Zero, is available in all stadiums.

Alcohol sales are tightly controlled in Qatar, according to NPR. WahhabismDrinking alcohol in public is only permitted in certain hotels and restaurants.

Fans were deeply divided over the announcement, with some blaming the organizing committee for a lack of communication.

Soccer sponsorship tweets: “Some fans like to drink beer at the game, some don’t, but the real problem is the complete lack of communication and clarity from the Organizing Committee to the supporters.

“If they can quickly change their minds without any explanation, supporters will have legitimate concerns about whether they will be able to fulfill their other promises related to accommodation, transport or cultural issues. “

The decision was met with criticism on social media, with some defending the deep-rooted belief in Islam to avoid alcohol.

The Guardian’s Chief Sports Writer, Bernie Ronay, tweeted: Qatar is a Muslim country and alcohol is prohibited, so it seems to be fine. Drinking beer is not a human right. ”

But self-proclaimed social media influencer Tom Wells said: How does this work in such an intolerant society? Respecting culture works both ways. This is not just an alcohol problem. ”

Others on social media wrote that an alcohol-free venue would be a safer experience for fans.

according to bloomberg, Qatar spent $300 billion preparing for kickoff. “Doha has been transformed, with new stadiums and hotels dotting the capital, and next month he will be able to accommodate more than one million fans,” Bloomberg reported.

Qatar 2022 has been a controversial choice from the start. According to Bloomberg, concerns have been raised about Qatar’s record of policies restricting the rights of women and LGBTQ people and the treatment of migrant workers.

World Cup play begins on Sunday, with Qatar taking on Ecuador.