Doha
\nFIFA and Qatar on Friday banned beer sales around the eight World Cup stadiums in a stunning policy U-turn just two days before the start of the tournament.
\nFootball\u2019s world governing body said the decision was taken following \u201cdiscussions\u201d with the World Cup hosts, an Islamic state which severely restricts alcohol consumption.
\nIt gave no reason for the surprise decision but media reports said there had been an intervention by Qatar\u2019s ruling family.
\nThe decision could affect FIFA\u2019s deal with major sponsor beer-maker AB InBev, while fan groups said supporters should be concerned for other promises made by the hosts.
\nA FIFA statement said only that alcohol would be focused on fan zones, \u201cremoving sales points of beer from Qatar\u2019s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters\u201d.
\nThe move brought new criticism of Qatar, already under pressure over its rights record.
\n\u201cThe real issue is the last minute U-turn which speaks to a wider problem \u2014 the total lack of communication and clarity from the organising committee towards supporters,\u201d said the Football Supporters Association in England.
\n\u201cIf they can change their minds on this at a moment\u2019s notice, with no explanation, supporters will have understandable concerns about whether they will fulfil other promises relating to accommodation, transport or cultural issues.\u201d
\nDozens of beer tents had already been set up at stadiums ahead of the first game on Sunday between Qatar and Ecuador.
\nQatar has spent tens of billions of dollars preparing for the World Cup and has predicted that more than one million fans will visit the country for the 29-day tournament.
\nBut its strict cultural rules have faced international scrutiny.
\nOrganising committee chief executive Naser Al-Khater said in September that the availability of beer was one of the \u201cunfair\u201d criticisms that Qatar had faced.
\n\u201cI think that there is a misconception regarding the sale of alcohol in the stadiums,\u201d he said at the time.
\n\u201cWe are working as any other World Cup where this is something typical and usual, and it is no different than any other World Cup.\u201d He said it would be \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d.
\nFIFA earns tens of millions of dollars each year from its sponsorship contract with AB InBev, the maker of Budweiser, the only beer available at official venues.
\n\u201cThe tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev\u2019s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,\u201d added the FIFA statement.
\nNeither the organising committee nor the Qatar government made any immediate comment.
\nBritish newspaper The Times said the decision followed an intervention by the family of the emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
\nThe New York Times said \u201cWorld Cup staff members were told the move followed security advice\u201d but that it was believed the decision originated with a brother of the sheikh who is influential in daily policy.
\nBeer will remain available in VIP suites in stadiums, sold by the world body, at the main FIFA fan zone in Doha, some private fan zones and in about 35 hotel and restaurant bars.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Doha FIFA and Qatar on Friday banned beer sales around the eight World Cup stadiums in a stunning policy U-turn just two days before the start of the tournament. Football\u2019s world governing body said the decision was taken following \u201cdiscussions\u201d with the World Cup hosts, an Islamic state which severely restricts alcohol consumption. It gave […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":296150,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-296125","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n