World Cup: Saudi Arabia’s Beer Ban

[Khandro]

Football fans attending the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia will not be allowed to buy alcohol during their time there. Hands up anyone who is surprised. The sale of alcohol is outlawed in the desert kingdom, and penalties for consumption include flogging, jail or deportation. Was it a good choice of venue?

[naomi24]

Didn't they do this before?  I seem to remember something similar a year or two back.   Yes, it's a stupid choice of venue.

[drmorgans]

 

Why stupid? The Saudis can enjoy a bit of sports-washing, the suits at FIFA have all received their fat brown envelopes. Everyone's a winner, except the fans, or mug punters as the administrators like to call them.

 

[theshedman]

Having worked there in the past it's not the place I would choose to go to watch football or go for a holiday.  Laws are very strict there and they not only have what we would call normal police but they also have religious police as well.  A friend I worked with was arrested for alleged drinking.  He got a month in jail and 79 lashes.  He was found not guilty, he would have got a minimum of 80 lashes had he been found guilty.

[Old_Geezer]

Whilst not overly surprised, I won't be going anyway so I'm unaffected.

 

One wonders how many might decide to stay in their local pub to watch the tournament rather than spend their hard earned cash to go watch in sober contemplation of how much better a world cup experience could have been.

[ToraToraTora]

Monumentally stupid to go to KSA, doshe driven, must be. Not just the booze issue either.

[New Judge]

"One wonders how many might decide to stay in their local pub to watch the tournament "

It would be far better if they stayed at home to watch it. They could always get some beer in and invite a few mates round if they want to shout at a telly in unison whilst getting Brahms..

That would free up the pubs for those wishing to use them for their primary purpose.

[Old_Geezer]

Yeah but at home there's no smell of the greasepaint not roar of the crowd.

[Old_Geezer]

...nor...

[davebro3]

wrong venue but if you're keen enough I'm sure you can go without beer for a few days

[chelle7272]

It was the same in Qatar in 2022, a place which should never have otten the tournament in the first place. FIFA taking bribes, once Blatter was formally exposed the cup should have been withdrawn from Qatar. The whole years schedule had o be moved around to stage it in November.

The Saudi's put a lot of money into footbvall and I guess it's paying off for them. Not a good option for teams or fans.

[ToraToraTora]

Perhaps FIFA could integrate with local culture, floggings and stonings at half time? Chop the head off a princess for the final?

[jackthehat]

It's a stupid decision for far more reasons than that.....

[sandyRoe]

I believe alcohol free beers are very refreshing, though I've not tried them myself.

[Khandro]

I agree with NJ at 9:07 - I think it will be great news for the beleaguered English pubs.   

[tomus42]

Obviously a stupid choice but it's all about money.