Shortly before the start of the World Cup, there are indications that alcohol will be served during the games in Qatar.
At the request of the sports show, the World Cup organizing committee and FIFA confirmed in word-for-word statements that event managers are currently “improve the requirements in the stadiums”. The answer went on to say: “This directly impacts the location of certain fan areas. The serving times and number of serving locations will remain the same.”
the New York Times had previously reported that there had been instructions from the Qatari royal family to make the serving of alcohol less public. For this purpose, sales stands already set up by the FIFA sponsor, an American brewery, have been moved to less conspicuous places. A video showed how such a stand was repositioned at the final stadium.
Rules: Beer only before and after games, not during
At the beginning of September, FIFA and the World Cup organizers in Qatar agreed on a basic procedure. There should only be beer with alcohol before and after the games, not during them. FIFA informed the sports show at the time that beer with alcohol should be served on the respective stadium grounds – but only before and after the game and not directly in the stadiums. During the games, only alcohol-free beer, soft drinks and water should be consumed. There will also be a FIFA fan festival, at which alcoholic beer can be drunk from 6.30 p.m. local time.
FIFA wrote at the time that they had been working on the fan experience, “including serving those who want to enjoy an alcoholic drink. At the same time, the local culture should be treated with respect.”
Brewery: “Will move points of sale to desired locations”
FIFA has not yet responded publicly to the current events. The US brewery has been a major sponsor of FIFA for decades. The cautious approach to the 2022 World Cup differs from other tournaments. Brazil, for example, was asked by FIFA to allow sales at the 2014 World Cup. In Brazil, the sale of alcohol at football matches has been banned since 2003, the law was suspended for the World Cup.
According to the German Press Agency, the brewery announced: “We are working with FIFA to ensure fans have the best possible access to our products.” Working with FIFA “to move the points of sale to the desired locations. Our focus is to offer the best possible customer experience under the new conditions.” Alcohol is not completely banned in Qatar, but is only served in bars or restaurants in certain hotels or on the cruise ships that are supposed to host many fans in the port of Doha during the World Cup.
The US brewery is one of four FIFA sponsors that at least indirectly supported the appeal by human rights organizations for compensation payments to guest workers. “We support access to procedures that can achieve fair remedies for negatively affected guest workers”it said at the end of September in an opinion.
VIP boxes even with spirits?
Before the tournament, FIFA sold luxury VIP packages for the tournament. Tickets in the best category (“Pearl Lounge”) cost around 61,500 euros in a package for a semi-final and the final – without travel and accommodation. Explicitly included in these packages was access to spirits, champagne, wine and beer.
The consumption of these products does not appear to be dangerous for FIFA’s customers. In FIFA’s Frequently Asked Questions is the answer to the questionwhether alcohol is allowed and served in the VIP boxes: “Yes. In the hospitalityareas of the stadium, guests have access to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.”