Soccer fans today reacted with a mixture of anger and resignation to the ban on beer sales in World Cup stadiums.
England fan Alex Todd, 25, from Solihull in the West Midlands, said: “It’s unbelievable. Why is the World Cup here if the basic fun is taken away from you?
“I don’t expect it to be as well received as most England fans are here.”
Brian Davidson, the first fan in Qatar to drink an official World Cup beer, said: “I’m devastated, it doesn’t make sense. What’s wrong with having a beer at a game? No beer would be sold in the stadiums anyway, only outside in the hall.
“Millions of people come from all over the world and just want to watch football, enjoy the sun and drink a few beers.
“I have to go to the fan zones or the hotel for a drink, but it is very unfortunate that the Qataris have imposed this ban.”
England supporters in Doha Kevin Fulcher (left) and Kevin Hall (right). Mr Hall said of Qatar’s alcohol ban: “It’s a custom here. you have to accept it’
German soccer fan Daniel Schwestka was also annoyed by the beer ban outside Qatar’s World Cup stadiums
German fan Daniel Schwestka, 30, from Düsseldorf, said: “Football without beer is not football.”
He added: “I go to a lot of games, including in the German third division, and you can have a beer.
“It’s normal to drink beer in football and it’s the World Cup.
“When I arrived in Doha yesterday, I had two bottles of whiskey in my luggage and they took them from me at the airport.
“I knew it was going to be tough drinking here. But how can they ban beer in the actual stadiums? It’s ridiculous, yes.”
Australian fans said sponsor Budweiser must resolve the issue before Sunday’s tournament begins.
IT consultant Simon Whiting, 50, from Canberra, said: “You need a cold beer in this heat. I’ve been looking for it all the time since I’ve been here.
“They’re hard to find anyway, so there’s no point in watching the games.”
Australian fans Simon Whiting (left) and Steve Mifsud (right) have called on official sponsors Budweiser to fix the problem before Sunday
Fans wait at the England team’s training base in Qatar, Al Wakra Sport Club, to catch a glimpse of the players, pictured on November 15.
Steve Mifsud, 39, from Sydney, said: “I’ve heard the beer is very expensive anyway, about AU$13 a pint.
“So if there’s pain … it might save us a few bucks, but in football you need beer.”
England fan Ryan Williams, who works as an engineer in Doha, smiled when asked about the beer ban.
“I have tickets for matches in England and that is the most important thing.
“We were told by our employers not to say anything negative about the World Cup, so no comment on your question about the beer!”
Pictured: Argentine fans ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar on November 17
However, the news of the beer ban did not deter the England fans, who had traveled from Nottingham to attend a party.
Kevin Hall, 63, who has missed an England home game since 1979, said: “I have absolutely no concerns about beer not being available in the stadiums.
“This is the custom here. you have to accept it
“Before we came here, we were told that alcohol was banned in a large part of the country, so it wouldn’t be a problem at all.”
His friend Kevin Fulcher (68) added: “We’re here to see if England can win the World Cup.
“This is a Muslim country and we respect traditions and hope the other England fans do too.”
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Elizabeth Cabrera is an author and journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a talent for staying up-to-date on the latest news and trends, Elizabeth is dedicated to delivering informative and engaging articles that keep readers informed on the latest developments.
