There will be no alcohol at all the eight stadiums lined up to host the World Cup according to the Qatari government.
Details have emerged that Qatar’s royal family has appealed to the International Football Federation (FIFA) demanding a complete ban on the sale of alcohol in all eight World Cup stadiums.
According to the requirements of the royal family, the sale of alcohol may be banned 48 hours before the start of the championship.
Such a measure will not only cause dissatisfaction with the fans, but also could violate the U$75 million FIFA contract with the official sponsor of the World Cup – the famous beer brand Budweiser.
The New York Times (NYT), citing an unnamed representative of the championship, reported that the decision to ban the sale of alcoholic beverages was made this morning, November 18.
It is noted that beer will still be available to football fans in fan zones.
Qatari organizers have previously insisted that the Budweiser tents are “too flashy”.
Representatives of FIFA then agreed to move them to less visible places.
As the NYT clarifies, after the ban on the sale of alcohol comes into force, branded red Budweiser tents can be replaced with white ones.
Instead of red refrigerators, blue ones (the color of the Budweiser Zero non-alcoholic brand) will appear.
On November 17, a trial fan festival was held in Qatar, which was attended by over 20,000 people.
Despite the fact that the prices of alcoholic products were inflated, there was no ban on its sale.
The state religion of Qatar is Islam, so drinking alcohol in public places is prohibited in the country. Alcohol is usually only available in some Doha hotels.
The FIFA World Cup will be held in Qatar from November 20 to December 18.
In the opening match, the Qatari national team will meet with the Ecuadorian, it will be held at the Al-Bayt Stadium, which can accommodate 60,000 spectators.
