Why did Qatar ban the sale of beers at the 2022 World Cup?

Qatar, the host country of the 2022 World Cup, categorically prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages in the stadiums that will take place the matches of the most important championship at the national team level. But why was this radical decision made? Here we tell you.

FIFA had agreed with Qatar, a country that does not allow the free sale of alcohol, that beer could also be drunk in stadiums, a decision that has been revoked just two days after the start of the 2022 World Cup.

“After discussions with the host country and FIFA, the decision has been made that alcoholic beverages will only be sold in the ‘fan zones’ and the authorized and licensed points for it, and not on the perimeter of the stadiums,” he said. FIFA in a statement.

It remains to be seen how the sponsorship that the World Cup had with Budweiser, the official beer distributor during the tournament, will suffer and that will now only be able to sell its non-alcoholic version in the stadiums.

WHY DID QATAR BAN THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?

• Budweiser’s response thus far has been to post a tweet with the following message: “Well this is awkward.”

Qatar is a country where alcohol consumption is highly restricted and it can hardly be consumed in some hotels in Doha. During the World Cup this regulation has been relaxed, but it is still not possible to buy alcohol in supermarkets, in addition to high prices, with a liter of beer above 13 euros and a glass of whiskey beyond 40 euros .

In order to cope with the tournament, ‘happy hours’ have been set up in hotels, ‘fan zones’ and stadiums and the sale of alcohol has been allowed, although with restrictions, so that people cannot buy more than two beers at the same time. weather.

FANS REGRET QATAR’S DECISION

The association of European fans Football Supporters Europe (FSE) regretted the “total lack of communication and clarity from the organizing committee” of Qatar 2022, after the decision to ban the sale of beer in and around stadiums announced this Friday.

“Some fans like a beer at the game, and some don’t, but the real problem is the last minute change, which reflects a larger problem: the total lack of communication and clarity from the organizing committee towards the fans,” he said. ESF.

The fans’ collective, which encompasses fan groups from 55 European nations since its founding in 2008, issued a statement today after confirming that Qatar has banned the sale of beer in and around stadiums and announcing that only It will allow the sale of alcohol in fan areas and licensed points, such as certain hotels.

“If they can change their mind on this at any given time, without any explanation, fans will have understandable concerns about whether they will keep other promises related to accommodation, transportation or cultural issues,” FSE said.

FIFA had agreed with Qatar, a country that does not allow the free sale of alcohol, that beer could also be drunk in stadiums, a decision that has been revoked just two days after the start of the 2022 World Cup.

“After discussions with the host country and FIFA, the decision has been made that alcoholic beverages will only be sold in the ‘fan zones’ and the authorized and licensed points for it, and not on the perimeter of the stadiums,” he said. FIFA in a statement.