DOHA
Football World Cup organisers have announced that alcoholic drinks will not be offered for sale at stadium sites in Qatar, just two days before the event starts.
The decision on Friday was a reversal of the original plan for major tournament sponsor Budweiser to sell beer around the eight sites, within the ticketing perimeter, for three hours before and one hour after each game.
The new policy means only non-alcoholic beer will be sold at the venues. Alcohol including champagne and whisky will still be available to those in hospitality areas, and beer will be on tap at the FIFA Fan Festival in central Doha.
The World Cup, the first to be held in the Middle East, kicks off on Sunday, with Qatar facing Ecuador.
In a statement, a spokesperson for world football’s governing body FIFA said the decision was taken following discussions with Qatari authorities.
“Host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans,” read the statement.
