Qatar 2022

[nipponyid]

The atmosphere is building..

 

[Danners9]

Won't be restricting their exposure in the hospitality suites and corporate lounges where alcohol will be available in abundance. As a strict Muslim country that argument doesn't hold up! IMHO..

I assumed it was because they didn't want footage of people drinking in Qatar to be broadcast. Behind closed doors is fine - like the hotels, the cruise ship hotel thing, even the suites - but in the stands where most of the coverage will be is (maybe) seen as damaging to their view of the image of Qatar/Qataris.

When I went to watch some games and have a few drinks in Doha I had to scan my passport to enter the hotel bar and it was a big no-no to be intoxicated in public. My hotel didn't even have a bar. Taxi door to door was highly recommended.

It was always going to be an issue. Budweiser has been a FIFA sponsor for a long time and pays a fortune for it ($75m for the 4yr cycle, I read). A decision should have been made much earlier on but maybe there was internal pressure and they've got enough money to just say no.

 

[nipponyid]

I assumed it was because they didn't want footage of people drinking in Qatar to be broadcast. Behind closed doors is fine - like the hotels, the cruise ship hotel thing, even the suites - but in the stands where most of the coverage will be is (maybe) seen as damaging to their view of the image of Qatar/Qataris.

When I went to watch some games and have a few drinks in Doha I had to scan my passport to enter the hotel bar and it was a big no-no to be intoxicated in public. My hotel didn't even have a bar. Taxi door to door was highly recommended.

It was always going to be an issue. Budweiser has been a FIFA sponsor for a long time and pays a fortune for it ($75m for the 4yr cycle, I read). A decision should have been made much earlier on but maybe there was internal pressure and they've got enough money to just say no.

Again...they was never going to sell beer Inside the Stadium/Stands, so no coverage and no damage to their image.
Also if they are so worried about their image to Qatar, why is the Fan Fest in central Doha still selling beer on tap in the open air for locals and the worlds media to view from 4 till 2am every day? that doesn't make sense..

 

[Danners9]

Again...they was never going to sell beer Inside the Stadium/Stands, so no coverage and no damage to their image.
Also if they are so worried about their image to Qatar, why is the Fan Fest in central Doha still selling beer on tap in the open air for locals and the worlds media to view from 4 till 2am every day? that doesn't make sense..

Not sure that's true. If it is, then FIFA didn't get the memo because they were telling visiting fans it would be allowed.

Qatar bans beer from World Cup stadiums after 11th-hour U-turn

Fifa has confirmed alcohol will be banned for World Cup fans at grounds in a major and unprecedented volte-face two days before the tournament kicks off

www.theguardian.com

Selected quotes:

...organisers had promised it would be available in match venues and in fan zones – and that it would also be reasonable priced.
...
The Guardian understands the decision was taken after the Qataris, as the host nation, decided that everyone inside World Cup stadiums had to feel comfortable – and that this would not be the case if fans were seen drinking alcohol or turned up drunk.
...
That message was reiterated most recently by Fatma al-Nuaimi, head of communications for the Supreme Committee, who said: “When it comes to alcohol, hospitality is part of our culture, even if alcohol is not. There will be designated areas where drinks will be served, especially the fan zones. So it will be in the places where the fans will gather, but not openly on the streets.”
...
The organisation’s official fan guide also states that “ticket holders will have access to Budweiser, Budweiser Zero, and Coca-Cola products within the stadium perimeter” for at least three hours before games, and for one hour afterwards.

 

[nipponyid]

Not sure that's true. If it is, then FIFA didn't get the memo because they were telling visiting fans it would be allowed.

No matter what they told the world/FIFA..they were never going to allow alcohol to be sold directly Inside the Stadium concourses that's for sure.

Here's the statement...



What they may have meant was around the stadiums/match venues perimeters would be allowed which has now been removed, to focus on the Fan Fest/zones. Their statements they're all seem rather vague and contradictory.

I think we're going to see a lot more broken promises and total FU's as the tournament goes on!

 

[nailsy]

Just found a load of classic World Cup games on the ITV player. Maybe a good alternative for those not watching the tournament this year. I've just put on England against Argentina from 86.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

World cup news from the Qatari side, a bit more upbeat than the UK coverage.

Al Bidda Park gets in World Cup spirit ahead of World Cup kick off

The park is filled with activities for all fans. Al Bidda Park got into the World Cup spirit on Wednesday with a test FIFA Fan Festival event, just four days…

dohanews.co

The Backyard: Doha’s exciting new destination for alfresco dining and live music

The Backyard, a first-of-its-kind entertainment venue in Doha, will host international events featuring over 50 global artists this month!

dohanews.co

 

[Amo]

World cup news from the Qatari side, a bit more upbeat than the UK coverage.

Al Bidda Park gets in World Cup spirit ahead of World Cup kick off

The park is filled with activities for all fans. Al Bidda Park got into the World Cup spirit on Wednesday with a test FIFA Fan Festival event, just four days…

dohanews.co

So many in the crowd at the Fan Festival was migrant workers.

not sure Qatari propaganda fluff pieces add the balanced “Qatari side” to reporting. There’s plenty of coverage for this event everywhere.

 

[Danners9]

World cup news from the Qatari side, a bit more upbeat than the UK coverage.

Al Bidda Park gets in World Cup spirit ahead of World Cup kick off

The park is filled with activities for all fans. Al Bidda Park got into the World Cup spirit on Wednesday with a test FIFA Fan Festival event, just four days…

dohanews.co

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

So many in the crowd at the Fan Festival was migrant workers.

not sure Qatari propaganda fluff pieces add the balanced “Qatari side” to reporting. There’s plenty of coverage for this event everywhere.

Probably be like the China olympics where they had to hire crowds to attend venues.

 

[bigfrooj]

I can understand the Qataris not getting the wonderful spirit of football and making this a joyless tournament but I can’t forgive FIFA for it. We all know why they awarded Qatar this WC and it’s nothing more than whoring out world football. I’m hoping we have a wonderful tournament driven by the exuberance and carnival spirit of the fans, and some great football, despite the miserable hosts.

 

[kr1978]

 

[Amo]

Zakir fucking Naik is at the World Cup. Apparently at the behest of the Qatari organisers to teach travelling fans about Islam.

 

[Tucker]

Zakir fucking Naik is at the World Cup. Apparently at the behest of the Qatari organisers to teach travelling fans about Islam.

Who he?

 

[Amo]

Who he?

dickhead superstar Islamist preacher who once said (among other far worse things) that professional football is haram.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

Haven’t seen a single England/football flag anywhere I’ve been as of today. And I walk for at least three hours a day.

Fuck load of Christmas decorations already though.

 

[dovahkiin]

my interest in this wc is only marginally above zero. good chance i wont be watching a single game. only right thing about it is that russia are banned(or i presume they are)

 

[thebenjamin]

It was never going to be sold inside the stadiums, but just around the outside perimeters which was agreed with Budweiser.
It won't restrict their exposure in the hospitality suites and corporate lounges where alcohol will be available in abundance, or the fan fest in central Doha where beer's available
As a strict Muslim country the argument of exposure doesn't hold up! IMHO..

It is being sold in the stadiums. But only in the vip areas. If you paid more, you can buy beer. If you paid regular prices, you can't.

 

[Houdini]

Haven’t seen a single England/football flag anywhere I’ve been as of today. And I walk for at least three hours a day.

I drove from Hayes to reading and saw about 6 flags, two of them were on pubs advertising they were showing the football.
Haven't seen any cars with flags tho, strange.

 

[teok]

12 years of preparation.

Inside Qatar's £175-a-night fan village of tents

BBC Sport's Nesta McGregor spends the night at the Qetaifan Island Fan Village just north of Doha, where football fans are arriving for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

www.bbc.co.uk