FIFA have been involved in another embarrassing beer gaffe.
There was an advert shown on a big stadium inside the Khalifa International Stadium ahead of England’s Group B opener with Iran advising fans to hydrate between Budweisers.
The image showed pictures of Budweiser’s alcoholic version as well as their ‘Bud Zero’ which contains no alcohol. But fans are not allowed to buy Budweiser inside the stadium after a late U-turn by FIFA late last week.
The advert has still appeared advising supports to “Drink Wiser” and “Cheer better”. Mirror Football understands Fifa had gained permission last month to sell it within the perimeter of the stadiums.
But pressure came from the Middle East country after a senior member of the Qatar royal family visited a World Cup stadium last week and was not happy with Budweiser stalls being at the stadiums.
Last week, England keeper Aaron Ramsdale backed England to make fans drunk on football glory instead of beer. The Arsenal shot-stopper said: “I think the fans will find some way of having a beer, I don’t think you need to do it so much at the game.
“Hopefully, with them not being able to drink we can perform on the pitch to give them that excitement and buzz. But we also have to respect the rules and continue to work, we will put pressure on ourselves to entertain from the football pitch.
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Supporters will still be able to drink at some official FIFA fan parks and in licensed restaurants and bars located in hotels. It is illegal to drink in public in Qatar.
England’s Football Supporters’ Association said the decision raises concerns about Qatar’s ability to fulfil its promises to visiting fans on “accommodation, transport or cultural issues.”
“Some fans like a beer at the match, and some don’t, but the real issue is the last-minute U-turn which speaks to a wider problem — the total lack of communication and clarity from the organising committee towards supporters,” the association said in a statement on Twitter.
