Officials in Qatar have abruptly changed their minds and determined that throughout the duration of the World Cup, which will last one month, only nonalcoholic beverages would be sold to spectators at stadiums.
FIFA issued a statement on Friday in which it officially announced the decision, which was made two days prior to the tournament’s first game.
“Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues,” FIFA announced. The decision, it said, would mean “removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters.”
The newest and most significant modification to an expanding alcohol policy is the beer prohibition, which has for months raised tensions between FIFA, the world governing body of soccer, and Qatar, a devout Muslim country where the sale of alcohol is strictly regulated. However, it will also make FIFA’s $75 million sponsorship deal with Budweiser more difficult, enrage fans who are already irritated by the event’s limitations, expenses, and inconveniences, and once again force organizers to make last-minute adjustments, this time with only 48 hours before the tournament’s first game on Sunday.
Source: AfricaOwn.com
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