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Alcoholic beer is not served in front of stadiums in Qatar
Photo:
Bernd Thissen / dpa
"Let's concentrate on football." This sentence from Fifa President Gianni Infantino is a few weeks old.
Now, with the tournament in Qatar, one of the most questionable events in sporting history is coming up and going to the agenda on the green pitch is particularly difficult.
Such a call is part of the Fifa system: go ahead, there is nothing to see here but football.
Or, to quote Infantino again: "Please don't allow football to be dragged into every political and ideological battle." Sport and politics, two things that are inseparably intertwined, should be strictly separated.
Since Fifa is millimeter precisely on the line of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with President Thomas Bach.
But back to football: In line with Infantino's view of the world, a detail has now become known that is causing a lot of attention: no alcohol will be served in the stadiums at the 64 World Cup games in the next four weeks.
Two days before the opening game, a long-planned compromise is scooped up by Qatar – and Fifa is watching.
You could also say she lets herself be danced on the nose.
It's not about criticizing the alcohol ban itself.
Anyone who awards a World Cup to Qatar should find out about the customs of the country.
Alcohol is considered "haram" in Qatar, which is dominated by Islam, and is simply forbidden.
Originally, Fifa sponsor Budweiser was allowed to sell alcoholic beer three hours before and one hour after the kick-off of each game.
Now alcohol is still available at the official Fanfest and in selected bars or hotels - as well as in the VIP areas of the stadiums, also for Fifa officials.
That's how it works, the double standards of football's top guardians.
Qatar is FIFA's most important business partner
Basically, it's about how Fifa, as the organizer of the World Cup, could have had twelve years to prepare the tournament, only to be slowed down in this form two days before the first game.
The answer is simple: Qatar is currently the world association's most important business partner and can set the rules.
Alone.
It's about money, about power.
Fifa has completely delivered itself to the emirate.
Any other examples?
Without wanting to address the process of awarding the World Cup in 2010, which is probably riddled with corruption.
If you want to look at this sports washing painting again in its entirety, I recommend this summary by my SPIEGEL colleagues.
The World Cup was initially planned for the summer months of June or July.
When, oh no wonder, the climatic conditions in Qatar became more of a focus, Fifa moved the tournament to autumn in 2014, contrary to the football calendar that had grown over decades.
Long after the fixture list was published, the emirate pushed for an exclusive opening game for the Qatari national team.
Fifa caved in, again with Infantino at the helm as defender.
The Infantino, who has been spending half of his working hours in a house in Doha for almost a year, together with his family.
Next year, Infantino will most likely be re-elected unopposed.
At an event with World Cup volunteers six months ago, the Swiss gave a speech and wanted to make his audience “vibrate”.
“I count one, two, three and then I want to hear: Qatar, Qatar, Qatar – okay?”
It's the mantra that Fifa is completely committed to.