Stadium stands at the 2022 World Cup are set to be “alcohol-free” zones, with beer sales outside arenas only allowed before and after some matches.
A source with knowledge of plans for the upcoming football tournament exclusively revealed to Reuters that, as this year’s World Cup is the first to be held in a Muslim country with strict controls on the purchasing and consumption of alcohol, stands inside stadiums are to be “alcohol-free” zones.
Qatari laws surrounding alcohol are said to be presenting some “unique challenges” for organisers of such a sporting event that tends to not only be associated with beer-drinking fans, but also by global brewing brand sponsors.
According to Reuters, organisers will allow alcoholic sales outside of the venues before and after certain matches – but there will be a complete ban on inside stadiums.
This latest insight provided by the source comes after there has long-been a question mark over alcohol at this year’s tournament since the Qatar state won the rights to host the World Cup back in 2010, as although it is not a completely “dry” state like neighbouring the Saudi Arabia, consuming alcohol in public places is illegal in Qatar.
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Stadium stands at the 2022 World Cup are set to be “alcohol-free” zones / Credit: Pixnio
However, according to the source and a recent document published last month, spectators will able to buy beer during restricted times in certain parts of the main FIFA fan zone in the Al Bidda park in the Qatari capital of Doha.
“Unlike previous World Cup fan zones, beer won’t be served all day long, but at restricted times,” the source added.
The document also shows that alcohol will be available for 15,000 to 20,000 fans on a disused corner of the Doha Golf Club as well – but this is said to be some kilometres away from stadiums and the main fan zone.
Organisers are set to only allow alcoholic sales outside of the venues before and after certain matches / Credit: Ellen Kerbey (via Unsplash)
A spokesperson for the organisers, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, told Reuters that, together with FIFA, that they will announce plans on the availability of alcohol at the upcoming 28-day tournament “in due course”.
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The spokesperson said: “Alcohol is already available in designated areas in Qatar, such as hotels and bars, and this will not change in 2022. With the aim of catering to visiting fans in 2022, alcohol will be available in additional designated areas during the tournament.”
The price of beer inside the fan zones and close to the stadium has also not yet been agreed, the source said.
35% of all children in the North West are currently living in poverty, some heartbreaking new figures have revealed.
Some new research carried out to understand regional levels of child poverty, conducted by Loughborough University for the End Child Poverty Coalition, has sadly revealed over a third (35%) of all children in the North West are living in what is called ‘relative poverty’, after the cost of housing is considered – which is higher than the national average standing at 31%.
Over in the Lancashire authority of Pendle, this figure reaches 45%, making it the second highest rate of all local authorities in the country.
In Greater Manchester, both Oldham and Manchester join Pendle in the list of the 10 council areas with the highest child poverty rates in the UK, as well as Blackburn with Darwen, and Hyndburn, and to make matters worse, the North West features on the list more times than any other region nationwide.
Rusholme was identified as the Manchester area with the highest percentage rating – with more than half (51.3%) of all children there living in poverty.
88% of constituencies across the North West have a quarter of children in poverty.
This could lead to things like families being forced to use food banks, children going without warm clothes in winter, or living in cold or unsafe housing.
As a result of these shocking statistics being revealed, the End Child Poverty Coalition – which represents more than 135 organisations across the UK – is calling on the Government to meet its manifesto commitment to address these high levels of child poverty, not just in the North West but also across the rest of country.
“These figures should demonstrate to Government just how important it is to quickly address this so to prevent another generation of children from growing up in low-income families,” commented Rachel Walters, who is the End Child Poverty Coalition Manager.
“The Government’s strategy to tackle child poverty must invest in children in areas with higher levels of poverty, like the North West.”
Graham Whitham, who is a End Child Poverty Coalition spokesperson and the Chief Executive of Resolve Poverty, added: “No child should go without the things they need to be healthy and happy.
“The Government’s forthcoming national Child Poverty Strategy must demonstrate a clear ambition to ending child poverty in this country, backed by specific targets and immediate investment in social security.”
Featured Image – RawPixel
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Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road to close for annual safety checks this weekend
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road is set to close this weekend while annual safety checks are carried out, it has been confirmed.
As Manchester City Council looks to maintain and improve what is, by far, one of Manchester’s busiest and most-used roads, given the fact it is the main thoroughfare in and out of the city centre, it has been confirmed that Mancunian Way is set to close overnight this weekend for its annual inspection.
Carried out every year, the Council explains that these closures ensure that ‘vital’ safety inspections can be conducted to allow the major road to continue operating as normal.
The overnight closure will take place from 7-8 June.
From 5am on Saturday (7 June), Mancunian Way will be closed in both directions along its entire length, including all slip roads, between the Chester Road roundabout and Fairfield Street, and this will last until 7pm on Sunday (8 June), after which the road will be open to traffic again as normal.
In the meantime while the closures are underway, the Council assures that a signed diversion route will be in place via the north and eastern ring road sections – Trinity Way and Great Ancoats Street – and a local diversion route will be signed via Bridgewater Street, Whitworth Street West, Whitworth Street, and Fairfield Street.
Manchester’s ‘busiest’ road Mancunian Way is closing for annual safety checks this weekend / Credit: Pixabay
During this period there will also be a lane closure east/westbound at the Deansgate Interchange between 6:30-9:30am, and the inbound lane of Princess Road (heading towards Manchester) between 6:30am and 11:15am.
As is to be expected with these kinds of tasks, Councillors say they are preparing for a ‘level of disruption’ but are intending to keep it to a minimum.
“The annual inspection of the Mancunian Way is a vital job which ensures that the tens of thousands of daily users of this road can go about their journey in safety,” explained Councillor Tracey Rawlins, who is the Executive Member for Clean Air, Environment, and Transport.
“We do expect a level of disruption throughout this process so wherever possible we’d advise people to travel via public transport, or plan an alternate route ahead to avoid the work locations.
Emily Sergeant -
8th July 2022 
