By Adedapo Adesanya
In a reversal of an earlier stance, the Federation of the International Football Association (FIFA) has said the sale or consumption of alcoholic beer would not be allowed at Qatar’s World Cup stadiums.
The world football governing body said in a statement on Friday, two days before Sunday’s kickoff of the World Cup, the first to be held in a conservative Muslim country.
With strict controls on alcohol, consumption may attract punishment, raising further worries about the country’s clampdown on freedoms and human rights.
“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, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters,” FIFA said in the statement.
Budweiser, a major World Cup sponsor owned by beer maker AB InBev, was to exclusively sell alcoholic beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each of the eight stadiums three hours before and one hour after each game.
“Tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup,” the statement said.
The reversal of that policy comes after long-term negotiations between FIFA president, Mr Gianni Infantino, Budweiser, and executives from Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), which is organising the World Cup.
Budweiser will sell its non-alcoholic beer throughout the stadium precincts, the statement said.
Business Post understands that while visitors cannot bring alcohol into Qatar, they can consume the beverage in bars at some hotels.
Budweiser will still sell alcoholic beer at the main FIFA Fan Fest in central Doha.
Dipo Olowookere