World Cup fans ready to party despite beer ban in Qatar stadiums

Flag-draped followers have continued to pour into Qatar upfront of the Center East’s first World Cup, whilst organisers banned the sale of beer at stadiums – a last-minute resolution that seemed to be largely welcomed by the nation’s residents and shrugged off by some guests.

The Gulf nation, residence to some three million folks, anticipated one other 1.2 million followers to fly in for the match that begins on Sunday.

After Friday prayers, the discuss of the capital, Doha, turned the sudden ruling by the federal government to halt all beer gross sales at stadiums.

Many welcomed the choice within the nation, the place beers, wine and liquor are offered at discrete lodge bars.

Abdullah, an Egyptian resident of Qatar, mentioned he would really feel extra snug attending video games understanding that beer wouldn’t be accessible within the stadiums.

“I’m completely satisfied to listen to this information. It’s not like alcohol just isn’t offered in Qatar. Individuals should respect Muslim tradition and get on with the match. I’ll really feel significantly better about taking my household to the stadium now. We’re supporting Brazil,” he informed Al Jazeera.

Federico Ferraz, a fan group organiser from Portugal, mentioned the timing of the choice to ban alcohol on the stadiums was made too late.

“I feel FIFA and Qatar left it very late to announce this resolution … Followers are going to really feel arduous accomplished by. They waited until the final minute, for everybody to purchase tickets, e-book resorts after which they introduced it. Had been they afraid that followers wouldn’t have come right here if they’d banned alcohol earlier?”

Alcohol will nonetheless be served in resorts, luxurious suites, personal houses and on the FIFA Fan Competition website in the course of the match.

In Doha’s Souq Waqif market, 35-year-old Pablo Zambrano of Ecuador shrugged off the information of the beer ban earlier than his nation’s opening evening match towards Qatar on Sunday.

He was staying along with his mom, who lives in Qatar, and mentioned the fridge already is stocked with beer, which foreigners should purchase legally in chosen depots.

“There’s issues in regards to the alcohol and the ladies with the gown codes,” Zambrano informed the Related Press information company, referring to the nation’s customs. “It’s completely different. However it’s going to be good.”

Zambrano was one in every of a rising variety of followers sightseeing within the conventional market and alongside the Corniche, a seaside boulevard with views of Doha’s glittering skyline.

Simply down the road, 24-year-old vegetable vendor Ajmal Pial from Khulna, Bangladesh, took within the breeze with the town’s skyscrapers stretched out behind him throughout the waters of the Persian Gulf.

However as an alternative of his nation’s inexperienced and pink disc flag, Pial waved Brazil’s over his head as his buddy took footage of him. He and his pals help Argentina and Brazil, two of the match favourites.

For Pial and others, the World Cup represents a pinnacle of labor in Qatar and sure a closing hurrah earlier than heading residence as jobs doubtlessly sluggish.

Labour circumstances in Qatar, like lots of the Gulf Arab states, have been criticised for exploiting the low-paid staff who constructed the previous pearling port right into a desert metropolis.

Qatar has overhauled its labour legal guidelines, however activists have requested for extra to be accomplished. There aren’t any ensures for freedom of speech within the nation, however Pial mentioned he felt genuinely completely satisfied on the likelihood to see the match.

His buddy, 32-year-old Shobuz Sardar, additionally from Khulna, Bangladesh, mentioned a part of that pleasure got here from the truth that it is just the second time that an Asian nation hosts the World Cup, 20 years after Japan and South Korea co-hosted the match.

He additionally mentioned the match offered a uncommon alternative to have fun.

“You additionally know that there are too many individuals all right here for work, for jobs,” Sardar mentioned. “They don’t have any choice for having enjoyable. This World Cup makes them have enjoyable.”