Qatar Living users sharply divided over proposed alcohol ban at 2022 WC
On Thursday, Qatar Living published an article about Supreme Committee of Delivery and Legacy Secretary General Hassan Al Thawadi’s comments about possibly banning alcohol consumption inside stadiums of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The news, which was widely reported around the world, initiated a huge debate. Qatar Living users too joined in.
Helen Davison could not understand what the hue and cry was all about.
“At present, we’ve an alcohol ban on the streets and in stadia, and rightly so. Why should the world cup be any different? People are being welcomed into this country and they should’ve enough self-discipline and respect to obey the rules. Why is it necessary to drink on the streets in order to attend a football match?” she asked in the comments section.
However, Samuel Pullinger, who took exception to the view, tried to approach the issue from another angle.
“Have you been to a World Cup or any large sporting event before? People who go to these events go to enjoy local culture as well as mix with other cultures. The majority of people are well behaved, considering in excess of a million people travel to the world cup.
“A select few will overdrink and cause trouble, but I’m sure that’s no different on a weekend here in Doha with people who actually live here. No one is saying that they should drink in the streets and I doubt that law will change here,” he said.
He suggested introducing fan centres close to the stadium where drinking would be allowed.
“People don’t need to drink on the streets. Some enjoy a civilised drink before attending a game. They could simply have a fan centre close to the stadium, which people can visit before games, which serves very weak alcohol. Individuals who decide to drink and are drunk and loutish post game do so at their own risk knowing what the repercussions may well be,” said Pullinger.
Some, like Caroline Farran, felt strongly about a complete alcohol ban in stadiums during the competition.
“It’s important that Qatar stick to its religion and culture when it comes to alcohol. People are very welcoming here. I’m positive that with no alcohol, people will actually enjoy the game for its skill and passion. We don't want people losing control and destroy the fun of the game for others,” she said.
Another user, Ame de Raaf, supported the view.
“Agree, football is something you enjoy with your family. But people are afraid of bringing their kids to watch the game as lots of these so-called supporters get drunk and cause a scene,” she said.
However, Mark Taylor countered their arguments.
“Football fans like to have a beer. It’s part of the social side of the game. If you think otherwise, then you’re ridiculously naive. This country will be filled with thousands of boisterous fans (mainly males) who want to have a drink.
“It’s going to be a clash of cultures. The fans didn’t ask to have Qatar host the competition. Qatar wanted it. It is Qatar that must change to accommodate them, even if only for the duration of the tournament. The fans will make or break the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” he said.
But Stevie Robertson pointed to the recent Euro Championships to extend his support for the alcohol ban.
“People complaining about the alcohol ban obviously didn’t see the behaviour of some groups of fans at the Euros in France in the summer. My advice would be to ban alcohol completely for the month,” he said.
In Sha Allah I hope FIFA world cup will bring very good reputation to Doha, Qatar. The intention of the event is to explore Qatar in to the international community and to be a prominent country in the world stage.
There is no other event than world cup football to stage in a country where the people are really crazy about the game. I hope the authorities will know exactly what to do about the proceedings. We can realize seeing the comments that people need the game with or without alcohol.
As an individual, My wish is Qatar to produce some greatest soccer players in time to come.
Btw: I am a sports lover and I make sure the prayers are followed by myself during any event. The five time prayer’s for a day is given for the benefit of an individual to make sure he is on track every now and then.
Both my comments are personal opinion and I personally feel that Qatar has a well-respected football & sports loving crowd.
Btw: I do not recommend alcohol. Why not the world support to have some countries without alcohol. World is looking for difference. Living without alcohol also a different.
@Britexpat Same here High Five!!! :)
Not bothered about the alcohol .. Just waiting for the Brazillian Beauties in their bikinis
We will be there to support our team
Alcohol or no alcohol, the games will go on... all you can do is shout here in QL .....who the fudge cares?
xD
Chain hotels & branded one sell alcohol and some what cover the margin of profit which is lacking in the room occupancy these days.
The dry hotels (Or non alcoholic) & Non branded hotels are finding hard to make profit like before as the occupancy level has been considerably gone down.
Some non branded or non chain hotels doing well due to the selling of alcohol.
My question is:
The owner needs money or a selling strategy without alcohol. (Selling strategy without alcohol will not bring money).
Some of the non branded expat hotel operators who are well versed in alcohol marketing working hard to catch the market offering more rent to the owners to make money and accumulate their profit.
Will the owners agree for this?
Prophet Mohamed Sallalhu Alahiwasallam, never in His life accumulated money. Prophet Mohamed Sallahu Alahiwasalam's job to live as an example. And to give the message to the others.
What is our Job?
Mufti: The drunkards will be roaming the streets of Qatar during the games. You will witness street brawls after a game. Rate of accidents due to drunk-driving will multiply by hundreds. Wine bottles will get stashed concealed in warehouse only to re-emerge later in the black market. A point will come when you yourself will be screaming, "What is all this taking place in this peaceful city?" All because of the lifting of the ban on alcohol. The authorities will have too many other more important things to handle during the games than problems arising from this one single act of lifting the ban on alcohol.
Fans can enjoy the games and enjoy them even better without having a drink.
My humble request to the great leaders of the nation,Kindly ban alcohol completely in the country same like Saudi and Kuwait did. Remove it completely from the Qatar airways flights,duty free shops in boarders , hotels and close down the outlet in Abu Hamour which is operating near to many of the schools.
People are so demanding. Remember this is Qatar. we are visitors here we must follow their rules we have no right whatsoever to tell them what we want and what we want to change it's their country. I would be angry if some foreigner talk something about Malaysia and the philippines. Remember WE ARE VISITORS.
Super Qatar keep it banned if they want to watch the game come and watch the game n go home peacefully... Y drinking while watching wots the point..
Accha: As if people don't drink here. Be assured people wont stop drinking water. Even now those who want to drink, nothing stops them. The talk is about alcohol keeping available for visitors.
BUT alcohol is not banned in Qatar. You can still drink in hotels and other places. If Qatar really wanted to follow the Islamic religion properly there wouldn't be any alcohol anywhere in the country.
Brit: You are talking about countries where alcohol is not a restricted item and is easily available off-the-shelf. The situation in Qatar is totally different. If the ban were to be lifted during the games, I guess many would stop drinking water here during that period to "quench their thirst while the river flowed!"
acchabaccha: I have been to football matches in many countries.. Alcohol was available in many stadia , but no one sneaked anything out. It is sold in plastic glasses , so is usually consumed on premises.
As for 'unwanted problems" - I cannot really see what that alludes to
When people start drinking freely, they w-i-l-l create problems for others. Intoxication definitely leads to wild acts. Furthermore, once alcohol is allowed for the games, a major quantity will go underground. The bottles will emerge in the black market once the games are over.
Allowing alcohol during the games is allowing the beginning of new era of "unwanted" problems in country which has kept itself peaceful with a low crime rate.
Does FiFa really care about what you or I think ?
@fasithsyed: Why should alcohol be banned in Qatar. Is anyone forcing you to drink. It is a personal choice. As long as you don't create problems for others, it is perfectly ok to drink.
There is no need for alcohol .. People come to see the game
Alcohol has to ban totally from Qatar
Create drinking zones and move on. Why to make it a world wide issue.
Will be impossible to ban alcohol completely. It is embedded in the football culture and will just cause chaos. I agree that there should be 'drinking zones' for the fans who want to drink.
Due to financial and sponsorship issues, there will have to be some sort of availability of alcohol near or at the stadia. The key is not to have it readily available on the streets.