The Qatari government will try to do what would seem impossible in Australia: stop sports fans from drinking alcohol during a major tournament.
In another blow for the tournament, which has been besieged by criticism since it was awarded to Qatar, the Qatari government announced the country’s ban on the consumption of alcohol in public places will remain for the duration of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“There will be no alcohol consumption on the streets, squares and public places and that is final,” said Hassan Al Thawadi, secretary general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy in Qatar.
“Availability of alcohol during the tournament will commensurate with our customs and traditions.”
While alcohol is not completely prohibited in the Gulf nation, it is illegal to drink in public. It is also illegal to be drunk in public under Qatari law.
Further complicating matters is the fact it is illegal to import alcohol into the country, although it is possible to buy alcoholic drinks from a licensed venue.
Local residents require a special permit to buy ‘takeaway’ alcohol.
Officials had previously indicated that there would be workarounds of local laws for the horde of football fans who are expected to travel to the country for the massive tournament.
Designated public zones where the consumption of alcohol had been touted as a solution for football fans wanting to enjoy a drink during the tournament, but that now appears to be a long shot.
It also appears that alcohol is unlikely to be served in the stadiums which are being purpose-built for the tournament.
“Personally I’m against the provision of alcohol in stadiums,” Al Thawadi said.
“The goal was to narrow (alcohol) consumption to specific places, far away from public spaces.”
It remains to be seen what will happen with FIFA’s sponsors, such as worldwide brewing company Anheuser-Busch InBev, during the 2022 World Cup, although football’s governing body has said they will support their commercial rights.
me too
Guest
while i agree with you, fifa may not - pressured Brazil to allow alcohol sales inside stadiums. Money tramples over values everyday in every culture. Be interesting to see what concessions are made. I guess qatar could always just pay them off...again.
The Phantom Commissioner
Roar Rookie
Well seeing it's going to be such an advanced World Cup with the air conditioned stadiums and all, perhaps they can start working on holograms to replace the actual people that will attend.
Nemesis
Guest
You don't drink? That explains so much about your personality.
Nemesis
Guest
It's highly likely substandard labour practices are used to create the various components that are the brain & skeleton of the device you're using to engage on this forum. It's highly likely substandard labour practices are used to create the sports goods you buy. Until exposed by the media, AFL were buying official match day balls from a company that exploited child workers in India. Unless you're living off-the-grid (and you can't be since you're on this forum) you're endorsing global labour exploitation.
Brisvegas
Guest
If we ruled out countries to host the world cup based on culture or political practices, then there wouldn't be many able to participate. Besides, who is to be the yardstick for what is acceptable? White middle class Western men? People have a choice to go or not to go. If they go, they visit a country and abide by the laws of the country. Such a thing is always the case when travelling.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Marron I don't drink! Being in a place where no one else drinks sounds like absolute heaven to me.
Carbuncle Junior and the Fussy Nemesisters
Guest
Speaking as the world's most cosmopolitan businessman and living embodiment of the is/ought fallacy, I don't see how either of those things is a problem. Some countries use indentured labour. Some countries ban the consumption of alcohol in public. Some countries do both, and some countries do lots of things. In fact, there are restrictions on where you can drink alcohol in Australia. Industrial relations in Australia have not yet reached the acme of perfection. Therefore Australia and Qatar are basically the same, and any complaining is merely evidence of your parochial Aussie focus.
marron
Guest
I wonder what the breakdown of people choosing not to go to Qatar is, between a) protest against indentured labour and unsafe working conditions b) not being able to get blotto in public The Qatar bid was wrong on so many levels but I believe it's the alcohol issue - and the perceived ideas about what else it will be like for tourists there - that will actually affect the numbers, and that's a sad indictment of us.
English twizz
Guest
When they bid for world cup drinking in the stadiums is part of the bid Budweiser play a lot of money to be sponsor
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Generally, yes, I would draw the line at anything approaching human rights abuses, such as the various forms of indentured labour to be found right across the Middle East, and that's putting it euphemistically. Otherwise, I am sure they are the salt of the earth and deserve our full respect.
Nemesis
Guest
Can't see the issue. Global tournament. Every nation on earth should be given the opportunity to host. When you go to a foreign country you respect their laws. Isn't that what we want when foreigners visit Australia - we want them to respect our laws and customs?
Lroy
Guest
Just confirms how baffling it was to award the tournament to Qatar to begin with. I think most fans are convinced that large scale bribes where at play.. who in their right mind would have chosen such a place??