QATAR WORLD CUP CEO confirms to have areas for drunk fans to sober up
The CEO of the World Cup, which will kick off in Qatar next month, said in a television interview that they are planning on sending drunk fans to special zones to allow them to sober up.
The month-long tournament, which begins on November 20th, will be the first of its kind to be held in a Muslim country, where there are strict controls on alcohol consumption. This poses unprecedented challenges for the organizers of an event sponsored by a large beer brand and often accompanied by fans drinking alcohol.
In September, Reuters reported that a source familiar with the plans for the tournament said that Qatar would allow ticket holders to buy beer three hours before the start of the games and an hour after the end whistle, but not during the games.
Nasser al-Khater, CEO of Qatar 2022, said that anyone who drinks too much will be cared for.
“I know that there are plans on sending drunk fans to special zones to allow them to sober up” he said.. Drink too much,” he said, adding that the goal was to make sure they were safe and not to harm others or themselves. He described the idea as “good”.
Al-Khater also reiterated the reassurance that LGBT community are welcome.
“Everyone is welcome here and everyone will feel safe when they come to Qatar,” he said when asked about his message to the community’s audience.
Asked if this included homosexual fans holding hands in public, he said “yes”, and he also answered “yes” when asked if this was a reassuring message.
The tournament’s organizers have previously stated that everyone is welcome regardless of sexual orientation or background, but they warned fans not to express feelings in public.
Qatar and several other countries in the region have banned Disney Animation, a film about gay relationships in cinemas, from screening this year.
