According to many organisers, Qatari officials have banned people from consuming alcohol in streets and other public places in the capital of Doha, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Alcohol will only be allowed in ‘far-away places,’ said the secretary-general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Al-Thawadi, in an interview with Arabic language newspaper Al-Sharq.
“There will be no alcohol consumption on the streets, squares and public places and that is final,” said Al-Thawadi, according to Agence France-Presse (via Time).
How the Muslim country would deal with alcohol at the tournament has been a question on many people’s lips recently.
However, the latest development is not going to sit well with many foreign fans (especially Brits), who are already disgruntled at the governing body’s decision to move the World Cup to winter, to avoid Doha’s scorching 113°F desert summers.
Alcohol a problem in Qatar
Although alcohol is not strictly illegal in Qatar, consumption and sales are restricted.
Foreign nationals living in the country can apparently apply for licenses allowing them to drink, and hotels are also permitted to serve alcoholic beverages.
However, it is illegal to be intoxicated outdoors, which is where the World Cup ban comes in.
Qatari officials have also expressed concerns over the connection between alcohol and football-related violence, like seen in the 2016 Euro’s in France, with Russian and English fans.
“We are against the provision of alcohol in stadiums and their surroundings,” Al-Thawadi said as he refused to bow to pressure to alter Qatar laws for the tournament.
