(Updated throughout after Fifa press release)
DOHA, November 18 (Reuters) –
The International Football Federation (Fifa) announced on Friday, two days before the start of the World Cup in Qatar, that the sale of beer will be banned in stadiums hosting the competition.
“Following numerous exchanges between the authorities of Qatar, the host country, and Fifa, the decision has been taken to reserve the sale of alcoholic beverages to the Fifa Fan Festival, other destinations for fans and authorized venues. sales outlets located within the perimeter of the stadiums are therefore deleted,” the federation announced in the press release.
Budweiser, one of the main sponsors of the World Cup and owned by AB InBev, had the exclusive sale of beer to ticket-holding supporters, within a perimeter around the eight stadiums, three hours before and one hour after each match.
“The organizers thank AB InBev for its trust and support for our common desire to meet everyone’s demands throughout the World Cup,” read the statement.
The brewer AB InBev indicated for its part that this prohibition was taken independently of its will.
The move, which marks a U-turn by football’s governing body, comes after lengthy negotiations between its chairman, Gianni Infantino, Budweiser and leaders of Qatar’s Supreme Delivery and Legacy Committee (SC), which organizes the World Cup, a source told Reuters.
The Supreme Committee did not respond to a request for comment and Fifa did not confirm Gianni Infantino’s involvement.
“More fans come from all over the Middle East and South Asia, where alcohol isn’t such a big part of the culture,” the source said. “The idea is that, for many fans, the presence of alcohol would not create an enjoyable experience.”
Consumption of alcohol in public places is illegal in Qatar, which raised many questions when the Gulf country won the right to host the World Cup in 2010.
For several years, competition organizers claimed that alcohol would be widely available to fans.
The Football Supporters’ Association of England said the move raises concerns about Qatar’s ability to deliver on its “accommodation, transport or culture” promises.
“This reversal reflects a larger problem: the organizing committee’s complete lack of communication and clarity towards supporters,” the British association wrote on Twitter. (Report by Andrew Mills, with Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels and Manasi Pathak in Doha, French version Dina Kartit and Laetitia Volga, edited by Blandine Hénault)