Qatar authorities and FIFA have reversed their decision to sell beer to fans around the 2022 World Cup stadiums, the football governing body said in a statement on Friday, two days before kick-off.
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It was decided to “remove beer outlets from stadium perimeters” and to “concentrate the sale of alcoholic beverages” in fan zones and authorized establishments, this press release specifies, without sharing the reasons for this decision. Asked by AFP, the government did not wish to comment on it.
This reversal casts a shadow over the previous commitments of the conservative Muslim emirate to host this World Cup.
The association of English supporters, the FSA, denounces “the total lack of communication and transparency of the organizing committee”.
“If that means that everything is open to question, what regarding the safety of LGBT supporters, the possibility of supporting your team while standing at the stadium, the possibility of kissing in the street? asks Ronan Evain, general manager of the Football Supporters Europe association.
Regularly questioned regarding the reception of spectators in a country where homosexuality and sexual relations outside marriage are criminalized, the authorities repeated that “everyone would be welcome without discrimination”.
” Not a problem “
In the streets of the capital, the reactions of the admirers met by AFP were more moderate.
“It’s not a problem for me. We knew there would be restrictions. I’m here to see football and meet people, ”commented Mexican Alex Burgos, 45, behind the mask of a wrestling legend from his country. ” That’s a shame. With this weather and the excitement, we would have liked a beer from time to time, but it’s good to avoid fights, ”said Diana, 31, who came to support Ecuador.
The inhabitants of Qatar are divided.
“It should be allowed, because a lot of people come from all over the world and FIFA used to do it before,” reacted Ayu Whazir, 26. “I know that the English are not going to be happy, but we don’t have everything we want in life, sorry,” quipped Hashem Walid, 20, on the contrary.
It’s also a sensitive topic, as beer brewer Budweiser has been a major sponsor of the tournament for three decades. The brand retains the possibility of selling non-alcoholic beers around and inside the stadiums.
The organizers have long maintained the vagueness regarding the sale of alcohol during the World Cup, strictly regulated in normal times.
It was confirmed in early September that beer stands would open around the stadiums from three hours and up to 30 minutes before the start of matches. They were then to reopen for an hour following the final whistle. Only non-alcoholic beers were to be available in sports arenas.
“I think there is a misconception regarding the sale of alcohol in stadiums. We operate like any other World Cup,” pledged World Cup CEO Nasser Al-Khater at a press conference in early September.
“An order from above”
On Friday morning, tents in the red and white colors of Budweiser were still visible around the Khalifa, Ahmed Ben Ali and Lusail international stadiums, where AFP visited.
A source close to the organization told AFP that, “for four days”, these tents have been removed from the entrance of the supporters, because they are considered “too visible”. “It’s an order that comes from above,” added this source.
VIP areas in stadiums still offer packages that include “beer, champagne, wine and spirits” starting at $950 and going up to over $30,000.
In the main FIFA fan zone, buying alcohol is possible from 6:30 p.m. local time. In private fan zones, the rules vary. A bar is also open in the main media centre.
In Qatar, consuming alcohol is legal for non-Muslims over 21, but strictly regulated.
It is forbidden to import them. The dedicated store is not open to tourists, who can drink in most international hotels, where a beer or a glass of wine costs ten euros and a cocktail more than fifteen euros.
Rules regarding the consumption of alcohol in stadiums vary from country to country. During the 2014 World Cup, Brazil had lifted the ban on consuming it in its enclosures, at the request of FIFA.
