Why Has Qatar Banned The Sale Of Alcohol In World Cup Stadium?
Qatar, an Islamic country abides strictly by the country’s law. The sale of alcohol in the country is allowed only in some specified hotels and restaurant in areas which are out of the public view. The Islamic country is conservative to the extend that alcoholic materials should not be seen anywhere in public places.
In case anyone is found drinking it can lead to an imprisonment of at least six months apart from other penalties.
After Qatar won the bid to host Football World Cup in 2022, it had also agreed to let Budweiser sell alcohol which is FIFA’s biggest sponsor since 1986 World Cup and sees a rise in sales every world cup. Everything went on fine from setting up the mammoth stadium to building hotels for the athletes, till about one week prior to the start of the event.
Qatar had eased its rules for making alcohol available during the World Cup, however just two days before the start of the event, Soccer’s world governing body FIFA confirmed that alcohol would not be sold at all the eight stadiums. A total of 64 matches will be held and no alcohol would be available at any of the stadiums.
So far no World Cup has seen a ban in alcohol sales. However a last minute decision to not serve alcohol has send shockwaves all over especially to the fans who have already reached the Arab nation to watch their favorite country play.
So What Led To The Ban Of The Sale Of Alcohol In The Stadiums?
It is to be believed that a last minute directive from Qatar’s Royal family to keep away alcohol in the stadium led to FIFA’s last minute decision to ban.
The Al-Thani family believes such behavior in public by foreigners would lead to a massive public insecurity upsetting the masses and turning the society upside down in a country where public drinking is prohibited and leads to severe penalties.
But if you are a true football fan, alcohol or no alcohol, who cares. It is all about your favourite team winning. Right. So enjoy the World Cup and cheer up for your favourite team.
Who knows who will take the cup home this time?
