Qatar announced this morning (Friday) a ban on the sale of beer in the World Cup stadiums, two days before the opening of the games in the Muslim country.
The move is the latest and most dramatic change in an issue that has heightened tensions in recent months between FIFA, soccer's world governing body, and Qatar, a conservative Muslim country where the sale of alcohol is tightly controlled. The decision will also complicate FIFA's 75-member sponsorship deal. A million dollars with Budweiser - and you will certainly anger the crowd that came especially to the country for the biggest tournament in the world.
A beer stand at Pan Zone in Qatar, photo: Reuters
The decision also suggests that FIFA, which has been heavily criticized in recent years for its decision to bring its showpiece championship to Qatar, may no longer be in full control of major decisions related to its biggest event.
Last week, Qatari organizers tried to play down the growing tension surrounding beer sales, saying alternative plans were still being finalised.
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