Qatar allowing alcohol in W/C stadiums ?

Al Thawadi’s questioning of need for serving of alcohol in stadiums is seen as backtracking on earlier pledge alcohol would be relatively freely available during World Cup.

Middle East Online

By James M. Dorsey

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=51250#.T2TfqxSjSsd.facebook

and the debate continues, cheers.

As for as the QDC analogy goes, I'd say this: yes alcohol is available on a limited basis. But that is not the same as the free flow of alcohol. Just ask the restaurants as the Pearl about the government's attitude to public consumption of alcohol. And drinking at a football match is much more akin to having wine with dinner at the Pearl than buying at QDC.

In terms of money, we need to put this into perspective. Heineken is the brewer name that keeps being touted as the sponsor (thanks Miss Mimi for pointing out it isn't). Heineken's estimated value as a company is about $30 billion and has 65,000 employees. This is only a tiny fraction of what will be spent in Qatar to stage the world cup--upwards of $200 billion and hundreds of thousands of employees globally.

What if any beer that is sold to the relatively few fans in the stadiums (let's face it, they will be filled with workers for whom a beer would cost a month's salary) just isn't going to be a big deal to the decision makers. A couple of suitcases full of cash can change minds pretty quickly anyway.

This needs to be put into perspective. Serving alcohol in the stadiums is only a tiny tiny tiny part of the fifa cash cow that is the world cup. Revenues from sales are relatively small, especially in instances of fairly low attendance (i.e. the the 2022 world cup). The vast, vast majority is TV rights and advertising rights. So the issue of alcohol in the stadiums is really about the enjoyment of the fans on the scene, and, let's face it, when they selected Qatar, they did not have the fans in mind.

My guess is they will end up with something akin to American college football--a multibillion dollar industry that makes most of its money from TV rights and ads in the televised games. The players and student fans are mostly too young to drink and so alcohol is not allowed in the stadiums. This does not prevent massive beer ad campaigns during commercial breaks that target fans at home (students also routinely show up to the games have drunk quite a bit beforehand). What I do know is that economic reasons will not weigh very heavily into whether or not fans can have a cold one in the searing heat of the 2022 world cup, because the actual serving of it is not the main reason why brewers become sponsors.

I think with alcohol or without alcohol i'm sure people will come drunk :P ...

I still believe that alcohol will be served in 2022. What Qatar must do now is to think the prevention of violence and accidents.

It's a matter of proper monitoring, planning of the event.

And it needs an open mind that the committee must have. The committee must see the big picture and should be trained outside the country and be exposed to this kind of events. See the situation and think a better ways to prevent it.

Having talked to a few Qataris, they say that they will be out of the country vacationing during the World Cup :o)

flor1212 said: LOOOL good one mate! u crack me up sometimes!

There should be no alcohol allowed for the World Cup! It's an Islamic country! And there should be no alcohol allowed at all! However, what made Qatar decide to have QDC? Were they afraid that the expats would leave? Why did they give in? Or didn't they give in? I can't believe it's the few million Riyals QDC makes each month. There is no reason, whatsoever, to sell alcohol to "privileged" people. If you come to Qatar, stay dry. However, Qatar seems to have two morals: one for the expat workforce and one for the sports world. That is really funny!

so the bond between WC and alcohol is better?

Crazy justification.

There was a football riot just recently, I think in Argentina (not sure). You think the people there are sober?

Everyone talks about against bribe, what do you think are you supporting for the sponsorship issue? And because you drink, it's ok and since your country did not win, you're against Qatar? Now I see the logic of a drunk man! Lol!

Yep! Such is the reality. Wonder which 7 star hotel Blatter and his chorts will be supping in ?

Lets face it the WC is FIFA's cashcow, they aren't going to jepardise their relationship with the brewery over this. If Qatar say NO the WC will be pulled. Major sporting events and alcohol go hand in hand, most can handle a few ales while watching the game, for the odd exception thats why you have security. What FIFA wants they will get.....now time for a cold one!!!

"I foresee embarrassingly empty stadiums."

Exactly! But that's nothing Qatar worries about, because the stadia here are ALWAYS empty!

A worldcup without a good beer is total nonsense.

Anyway, when are all these works going to start, it must be about time.

So, the bottom line is that culture is consumed by commercialism ...

Anheuser-Busch Inbev, Heineken, Budweiser, Guinness... etc... etc.... to SAN MIGUEL?!!!

People cause the problems, not the beer itself. Those who wish to get smashed off their trolly will most likely (hopefully) be ejected from the stadium. Signs should be in place warning of the severe consequences of drunk and disorderly conduct. But taking the family to watch a game and enjoying 2 or 3 beers during that time shouldn't pose a problem. What did Qatar think it was going to serve the Germans when their team plays? Tea or coffee? I foresee embarrassingly empty stadiums.

I don't know. I've been to plenty of sporting events where alcohol is served, baseball, football (both American & proper football), hockey, basketball, etc, and I've never seen any problems.

One of my fondest memories is sitting in Yankee stadium with my husband enjoying a pretzel and a beer.

I'm not saying there's never been a problem with drunkenness at games, but it's not as common as you think and I'm willing to bet that the people who caused it were drunk before they showed up.

I don't remember any reports of problems caused by alcohol at the last 2 Cups.

Miss mimi: I see ur point but also see a very good reason behind why Alcohol shouldn’t be welcomed on Qatar’s national stadiums let at any sports platform anywhere in the world.

Alcohol and sports they just don’t hymn. Do they?

People pay money to relax and watch them game. For many, many cultures, part of the enjoyment of the game is having a beer with it. They are inseparable. And while it's all good to say, go watch it in a pub, it's not going to look very good if all of these expensive stadiums are empty.

Miss Mimi : That's what I thought ppl paid money for? To watch the WC not to get drunk.

If they wanna get drunk then maybe they shouldn't fly anywhere. Just pop into the nearest local pub 'n get pissed.

DC you aren't spending thousands of dollars to fly to Qatar to watch the Cup. And not many will if they don't allow alcohol in the stadiums.

kiwiinqatar123 : I watch footie without beer with my local friends all the time. ain't the end of the world.

Watching football without beer is like watching football without a ball. Alcohol will prevail! Alcohol; the cause of and solution to all of life's problems.

Yawns!

I never have understood why people go to such great extent as to defend something so harmful to health and society.

In my opinion this country should stay out of the booze business altogether. Alcohol shouldn't be advertised or sponsored at any sporting event. Too many people can't just have a beer or two.

It really ends up ruining it for everyone and cause loads of harm. Especially in the last couple of years.

to my surprise the report has an error "Qatar a conservative muslim nation" HELLO its 2012 not 1992... come over and witness drunk people walkin on streets ffs

the issue to many is ALCOHOL. So let us just drink and who cares who wins?

So alcohol is a big sponsor which poured money to the games. Well, Qatar also poured money (or will pouring money) to the games, so it's a choice between alcohol and Qatar. Who pour bigger will be the winner right?

Many are drunk today!

Anheuser-Busch InBev is the official sponsor for the 2018 & 2022 world cups

Bachus, Heineken is actually number 3, and actually we're all wrong, Anheuser-Busch is the new beer sponsor for the World Cup. So Fifa literally cannot do any better.

Why on God's green earth are we talking about something that is over 10 years away? Alot can change between now and then and I would hazard a guess that most of us won't even be here...

so in short the current policy of only allowing permit holders and the priveleged few to buy and drink or sell to make an extra buck will be thrown out the door. Its time to live like the rest of the world and not to selectively allow some to drink and not allow others to have a drink or two. Its time to throw the gates to the sydnicate wide open for all and the guys running the sydnicate may be suprised to find that the less priveleged are better customers then the ones the sydnicate caters to at the moment

I could have sworn the Heineken museum said they were the largest. Regardless, why would another company want to sponsor them if they blow off Heineken? What's stopping Fifa from blowing off them? It's not good business sense.

Miss Mimi. Anheuser-Busch InBev is the largest brewer. Its brands include Budweiser, Stella Artois and Becks. Heineken is fourth or fifth. There are plenty of potential sponsors. Besides FIFA has no legal authority to provide in its contract with Heineken what can and cannot be done in accordance or out of bounds of the laws of nations that host its events. Simply put, such a contract would have no legal standing. FIFA could only agree to an exclusive relationship with Heineken--i.e. when beer is sold and advertised it will only be Heineken.

worry about the WC being played in 45~50 Celius temprature with humidity in the range of 70%-90%.

FIFA and all the associate football bodies should work out to shift the schedule of WC 2022 to the winter/spring.

I doubt there will be hardly any fans from outside to buy beers in the stadiums.

hahaha. thank you for the confirmation

Sure, yller, it's pure hearsay.

ok LP, but then again, was his comment a reliable one? is he involved in this bid for WC? if it's in the news, then i MIGHT believe his statement, other than that, it's a pure hearsay...

yller, no, I can't compromise this person!!

LP, can you provide us link of this "KNEW IT" story. Let's have a premise here of solid facts based on evidence. Thanks.

2020 Heineken is the world's largest supplier of beer. There are very few, if any, other beer companies that could come close to forking out the kind of money that they could. Not to mention, why would another company risk signing on with Fifa if that's how they treat their sponsors?

Also, who knows what kind of contract Heineken has with Fifa, my guess is they are signed up to sponsor the next 10 or 20 World Cups. If Fifa were to break that contract they could be sued for billions. Would Qatar cover the cost of the lawsuit to?

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread

Anyway it does not matter what you say about how Qatar SHOULD do something. This is not an argument you can ever win. Fact is we won't unless we want to. So with that I will bid you all good day. ROFL.

fubar, just as i said, IMO (In My Opinion).

we can't really tell, can you provide us a copy of these guidelines, if you do have, please enlighten us.

fubar, Qatar bought the right to host the WC. The FIFA report clearly mentioned that Qatar was a RISK! But, 2 months before the decision, one person involved in it, told me, Qatar will win. He knew it, I said "KNEW IT" well ahead of the official decision!

Exactly fubar. And they were perfectly aware that Qatar is a Muslim country that doesn't serve alcohol and sporting events. Yet Qatar won the bid.

LP--My point is that Heineken's paltry tens of millions is insignificant to the wider picture that you cannot seem to comprehend.

An exception? Because Qatar was a 'surprise'?

I was under the impression that all the bidding cities were evaluated along the same guidelines, to host the same event, merely in different countries.

Are you implying that Qatar did something different to be a surprise winner?

You know, 2020, I don't even care for the whole WC!

Fubar--or the announcement that alcohol will be sold in the stadiums. For that you will wait forever. ROFL.

LP--I am not the one who is hoping. There are not to be alcohol sales in the stadiums so I am have nothing to be hoping for. I am happy. :-)

FIFA can make an exception for this WC, since QATAR is a surprise winner. QATAR wouldn't be a winner if FIFA haven't got any "rewards" for this selection. IMO.

2020, if there are no ads in the stadia, why then should Heineken pay a cent to FIFA? They can make their TV ads anytime they want and pay the TV channel!

You can hope, 2020, but it won't help!

Miss mimi--are there any other alcohol makers besides Heineken that would not jump at the chance of taking over the contract after 2022?

Well we can all wait for the imminent announcement from Qatar 2022 that there will be no alcohol sold in the stadiums.

Any day now.

Any day...

LP--no ads in the stadiums, just TV commercials. But there pathetic tens of millions of revenue is nothing compared to what is being spent over all. Like I said I hope you and fubar are not in business or anything related to maths. What a disaster!

2020, everybody drinks privately. I would not let you have a sip of my Jack Daniels!

2020, this isn't just about 2022. If Fifa says "F- you" to Heineken for 2022, why would Heineken come back for 2026? Fifa cannot afford to ruin that relationship. A few stadiums that are only going to be in use for a month aren't going to make up for it. I sincerely hope YOU aren't in business!

you hit it 2020, exactly! hahaha

But we're missing one thing here, we can argue all day but who amongst from us have seen the terms and agreement of QATAR and FIFA?

LP--QDC is for private consumption. When things got undesirable at the Pearl alcohol was banned without second thought. Pay attention. it will help you.

Heineken can pull advertising from all football if it wants and Budweiser or someone else will replace it. If you are write that football and alcohol go together for your lot then someone else will want the profitable advertising in the future. You keep saying it is about business, would this not be good business for these companies? Like I say, I hope you are not in business. ROFL.

fubar--the open and shut is that it is Qatar's decision and it will not be bullied.

fubar, the fact that the 2022 Supreme Committee Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi talks about it, shows that it IS an issue! Why would he want to talk about it if it was NOT an issue?

"it is made from people seeing the ads on television and then buying it at home. They can still do this."

I hope you are not in an advertising and marketing business, 2020. It would be a disaster!

So, you think they should have banners for Heineken in the stadia, but nobody should be allowed to actually drink a beer then? Wow! The psychology of that configuration will not work.

LP, that's why im saying sir, IF only QATAR is serious in banning alcohol in WC, they can do it, with no objection from FIFA.

1.2 Billion is nothing in this game Fubar. That is 1/4 of one stadium that is being built or just twice what Qatar spent on the bid campaign. In other words a mere trifle.

Do the math Fubar and get a clue. You keep talking about business but you have no idea about it. I sure hope you are not in business like LP. What a disaster that would be. ROFL.

Well 2020, if it's such an open and shut case that there will be no alcohol, why haven't the Qatar 2022 people simply ruled it out?

"For me personally, I don't see the reason for it being in the stadiums, but it's something we're discussing with FIFA."

What's to discuss then????

And, 2020, do you really think that Qatar "needs" the few millions they make every month with alcohol sales at QDC?

No problem, 2020. But the "bigger" picture would be that these companies eventually withdraw also from the following world cups. And then?

yller, they are not even serious about banning alcohol in Qatar! (Qatar Distribution Company) Qatar Airways managed shop for alcohol and pork products!

LP--you don't get it. So Heineken has a contract worth a few tens of millions. So what? Qatar's infrastructure is several billions. Who do you think is profiting from all that? Foreign companies. How do you think these foreign companies will react if their contracts are pulled so that a single alcohol maker can make its paltry tens of millions? And there are other non-alcohol advertisers to sponsor the wc. And Heineken's main money from the wc is not made from beer sales at the stadiums. it is made from people seeing the ads on television and then buying it at home. They can still do this.

Look at the bigger picture. I sure hope you are not in business LP. What a disaster that would be.

Finally you're right, 2020! Blah, blah, blah.

Qatar can pay FIFA whatever revenues they can get from beer sponsors, if only they are serious with the banning of beer at the stadium.

FIFA isn't some not for profit charity with a goal of spreading football around the world and promoting peace and tolerance.

In 2010 their revenue was $1,179,000,000.

They aren't about football.

They are about money.

Blah, blah, blah. What a lot of wishful thinkers you are. Complain, whine and hope all you want. It won't make a bit of difference. If you doubt me, then you have not been living in Qatar for very long or you haven't been paying attention.

QS, it is a lie. It says that alcohol SALE is limited to 5-star hotels. It's NOT limited to 5-star hotels because I can buy it from QDC. Now, if you say QDC was a five-star hotel, then we have a different opinion about 5-star hotels.

The TV rights for the World Cup bring FIFA millions, if not billions! Who pays them? The companies who can sponsor their products. Heineken pays millions just to have their product promotion being seen on millions of TV screens. Heineken will not pay millions of dollars to FIFA (they own the TV rights exclusively) if their promotions are hampered. It is not about Qatar, nor about alcohol per se. It's about that FIFA will lose millions of dollars!! If you don't want to understand it, it's your choice.

totally agree with ramil 26

u can control (and ban entrance) at the drinking areas, but not in the stadium. the risk lies with those not used to drinking... not with the guests.

Budweiser is FIFA's major sponsor. They have an agreement to provide alcohol at venues.

LP, it's not a lie.. they refer to the places where you can actually drink alcohol, not only buy.. You cannot drink alcohol which you bought in QDC in any public place..

If you don't think that's true 2020 I suggest you go to Amsterdam and see the Heineken brewery and it's huge section devoted to its involvement in the WC. They are very dedicated to it, and will not tolerate beer not being sold in the stadium.

Fubar--you don't realize that you are repeating my points. Or am I using too big words for you? This is not about money for Qatar. And Qatar can happily afford to buy out Heineken for advertising if need be lol!

well, just brace yourselves for first time drinkers and drunk people(whether tourist or locals) who will be uncontrollable during the match). The stadium would be divided into drinkers and non-drinkers wahahaha

fubar--not true at all.

Oh dear, 2020. You seem to be continually missing the point.

Fans have NOTHING to do with this.

FIFA don't want beer in the stadiums to make the fans happy. If they wanted happy fans this would be a winter world cup.

When Fifa says that football and alcohol can't be seperated, what they are trying to say is that FIFA and Heineken's money can't be separated.

Do you understand? Yet?

For the same reasons fifa supported the bid, fifa won't take it away over the refusal to sell alcohol in the stadiums.

One could say that Since winning the bid , Qatar is not only older Budweiser :0)

Is it true that there's currently a hiring and budget freeze at Qatar 2022?

Preparing for the worst, are they?

Correct Bachus. What these moronic posters think doesn't matter. They can cry all they want, but it won't change anything. Just like all their whining about alcohol at the Pearl.

YOU don't understand it LP. The wc is not about business for Qatar. We've already pledged far more resources than we ever expect to recover.

Tell you what Fubar. Why not go down to a match in Qatar sometime, and open a can of your beer. Then try and tell the police that football and alcohol cannot be separated. See how that works out for you. ROFL.

"Qatar won the bid, and there was nothing in the rules that state alcohol must be served. End of story."

It is most certainly not the "End of Story" what Fifa doth give, Fifa can take away. Especially when work hasn't even started on the stadiums.

As much as I enjoy a few beers with any sporting event, I don't see any chance of the World Cup here being anything like previous ones in terms of alcohol.

The simple fact is that Qatar doesn't care about the money. This world cup will cost a fortune to host without any promise of financial return, and those in charge don't care. So however much groups and companies might complain, it won't make a bit of difference. The fact that it will be hosted on a rock in the Persian Gulf in the middle of the searing heat of summer should tell you everything in terms of how much fans are being considered by anyone.

To quote FIFA regarding Brazil:

"The selling of beer in stadiums is part of the fan culture and will also be part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup"

Not "should also be". "Will also be".

I think if Qatar don't want lots of happy smiling beer drinking people here, then someone should have thought twice about hosting the World Cup :p

You just don't understand what you don't want to understand, 2020. It's about business, not sports!

How said and jealous some of you are.

As for 'alcohol and football cannot be separated' the Muslim world does this daily. And guess what? The 2022 wc is being played in a Muslim country. We don't complain that when it is in Brazil local culture allows alcohol. What selfish hypocrites.

Anyway it does not matter. Qatar does not 'have to' do anything. Qatar won the bid, and there was nothing in the rules that state alcohol must be served. End of story. So go cry in your drunken beer lol! Or stay home from the wc and drink alcohol in your home.

Exactly LP & Fubar!! That's why I said, all of this "For me personally, I don't see the reason for it being in the stadiums, but it's something we're discussing with FIFA" is BS! They knew from the beginning that they would have to serve alcohol in the stadiums!

Lol LP. We are on the same wavelength.....

this itself is an event to watch!! i know those guests can handle the booze, but what about those who are not used to drinking? will they be be a hazard to other people? should we be prepared for more accidents? or will they hoard them booze the way they did with the tickets during asian games ?? :)

PS, don't get mad at Westerners for being alcohol loving football fans.

Just remember, we didn't submit the bid for the World Cup.

We weren't the ones asking for it to be hosted in Qatar.

If you have an issue with the World Cup, take it up with the people responsible.

"People voted for Qatar knowing this."

No, Qatar bid for the WC, knowing this!

Let wait for two years more, and by them everything will be finalized..

Well it's not really about "the fans". Sadly FIFA is much more concerned about the sponsors and their money.

And Heineken throw A LOT of money at the World Cup.

No sponsorship revenue from Heineken pouring into Sepp Blatter's bank account, then no World Cup.

Sad but true.

It's not an ARAB World Cup! It's a WORLD cup. And without the sponsors (Heineken et al.) no World Cup will happen, because nobody is willing to pay millions of dollars for nothing!

Fubar--or tell fans it will not be there and let the fans have time to come to terms with it.

What's the issue? There is alcohol at all World Cup matches. When was the last time there were riots and women were raped and the whole world ended because some people were enjoying a beer?

There will be alcohol in Brazil, and there will be alcohol in Qatar. It's probably better just to admit it now and let the locals have time to come to terms with it.

This will NEVER happen. People do not need to be drunk to enjoy the game. This is an Arab wc not a Euro or American one. People voted for Qatar knowing this.

makvkd because every single World Cup in the history of World Cup's has had alcohol in the stadium, why should Qatar be any different. Why u people want to make issue?????

****I am wondering why these people want to mix world cup with alcohol. If you want to drink do it and come to see...why u people want to make issue????

It's all formalities and posturing to the public. Qatar knew they were going to be required to sell alcohol in the stadiums from the moment they started bidding for the WC. Come on, Heineken is one of it's biggest sponsors! This is just to make the public think that they've tried everything possible to not sell it. It's BS.

Qatar and Fifa looking into alcohol issue

LP maybe the reporter forgot to mention or was not mentioned on purpose.

Regards!!

"Qatar, a conservative Muslim nation in the Arabian Gulf, currently limits the sale of alcohol primarily to five-star hotels."

This sentence is a lie! Everyone who has obtained a liquor license can buy alcohol in Qatar!

Let us see who prevails....business or national interest?