FIFA bans beer sales at Qatar's World Cup stadiums in a last-minute reversal

DOHA, Qatar — Two days earlier than the world's largest sporting event is set to start, FIFA announced that beer sales may be banned on the 8 World Cup stadiums in Qatar.

FIFA said in a announcement that the choice had been made "following discussions among host united states authorities and FIFA."

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Sales are still accredited at fan events in certified venues, in addition to in-stadium luxurious suites that also serve liquor, wine and custom World Cup 2022 champagne.

FIFA said the selection might ensure "the stadiums and surrounding areas offer an exciting, respectful and exceptional revel in for all lovers."

The sale of alcohol is precisely managed in Qatar, an power-rich Persian Gulf country that follows a conservative shape of Islam known as Wahhabism. Public consumption of alcohol is handiest allowed in sure accommodations and restaurants.

The sale of alcohol at the stadiums has been a long-jogging negotiation between Qatar and FIFA, which is website hosting the World Cup inside the Middle East for the first time for the reason that match kicked off in 1930.

Qatar first of all agreed to allow beer income whilst it received a bid to host the video games in 2010, and reconfirmed that dedication whilst it signed the agreement.

In September, Qatar and FIFA reached an settlement to allow beer sales inside the stadiums, however no longer at concession stands. The policy got greater restrictive ultimate week, transferring the alcohol stands to even less visible spots on the stadiums' perimeters, which means many lovers could should trek away from the movement to make a buy.

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The choice to ban alcohol income is demanding fanatics and commentators that FIFA does not have full manipulate of its signature occasion, specifically as the football agency compelled every other host u . S ., Brazil, to exchange its national legal guidelines around stadium alcohol sales in 2014.

Budweiser has paid tens of thousands and thousands of greenbacks for the proper to be the legitimate alcohol sponsor at World Cup occasions.

The business enterprise, a protracted-time accomplice with FIFA, is inside the midst of negotiations to resume its deal for the next World Cup, in keeping with the Associated Press.

"Well, that is awkward," Budweiser wrote in a tweet that become quick deleted.

FIFA says Budweiser's non-alcoholic Bud Zero will nevertheless continue to be to be had at all World Cup stadiums.