The Qatari state has reportedly called for a complete ban on beer in and around stadiums just over 48 hours before the start of the 2022 World Cup.
As per The Times, the traditionally dry nation is set to stop the sale and consumption of beer in and around their football stadiums entirely after it was reported earlier on Friday that nearby stalls stocking alcohol would be moved to different locations.
The Gulf nation has strict laws around alcohol as it is, with only designated zones inside fan parks and selected hotels permitted to sell booze, not to mention officially licensed products – i.e. Budweiser – being the only kind available at the games. Now it seems there won’t be any on offer.
This last-minute appeal comes despite Budweiser having a multi-million dollar contract with FIFA and will see the company forced to remove advertising and all other visibility from around the eight different venues hosting the competition.
Qatar stuns Fifa with call for beer ban at stadiums, unless consumed within hospitality boxes that cost a minimum of £19,000. This may result in lawsuit from Budweiser towards FIFA. https://t.co/QeFLgv7pTH
Budweiser were reportedly told on Saturday, 12 November to relocate the sites selling their products at the stadium complexes to less prominent locations.
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Moreover, since the manufacturer’s presence at the tournament is already in the process of being withdrawn, it will now be virtually impossible for fans to buy beer outside of a select few areas.
Prior to the decision, the only place punters could purchase a pint was in the fan parks in the capital of Doha, in specific areas of certain hotels and only in quantities of four pints maximum at any one time. Alcohol is also only available at certain periods during the day.
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Whether travelling supporters knew before they set off for the Middle East or not, we also recently learned that should fans be able to get their hands on a cold pint, it will set them back £12 a pop. At least they’re saving a fair few quid now, whether they like it or not.
Brewing company AB InBev, who own Budweiser among several other well-known beer brands, previously told Sky News that in the face of these sudden calls to shift their product, “they are working with FIFA to bring the best possible experience to the fans.”
The world’s largest brewer went on to insist, “Our focus is on delivering the best possible consumer experience under the new circumstances”. So much for that idea.
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"Well, this is awkward …"
World Cup sponsor Budweiser reacts to the news that fans will not be allowed to buy alcohol around stadiums in Qatar.
For many fans, this is just yet another stringent regulation further hampering their time at a tournament which really shouldn’t have gone ahead.
While a beer ban sits at the very bottom of the list of everything wrong with Qatar 2022, it still confounds us as to how the country was ever awarded the World Cup in the first place.
Police appeal for information regarding ‘serious assault’ around Old Trafford before United game in October
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are appealing for fresh information on a “serious assault” committed around the Old Trafford area earlier this year.
GMP issued a press release on Friday, 9 December, asking for members of the public to come forward and share any details they might have on the attack carried along Seymour Grove in Trafford around 1:30pm on 16 October 2022.
They go on to explain that “a man in his 20s was assaulted by a group of unknown males” on the way to the game at Old Trafford, adding that “it is believed that the suspects were also attending the Manchester United vs Newcastle United match.”
It remains unclear whether or not the assailants were travelling fans in town to support the away side but GMP are looking to speak to the men pictured as they may be able to help with enquiries.
Credit: GMP
As detailed in the statement, “the victim suffered a severely broken jaw, a broken nose, numerous cuts to the face, and damage to the nerves of four teeth which he is likely to need further medical treatment for.” Terrible stuff.
The authorities are continuing to investigate the Seymour Grove assault after having followed up on a number of lines of enquiry since the incident took place and are now asking for the public’s help.
Anyone with information, or anyone who may have footage/images, or can identify the men in the photos, can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, quoting log number 1589 on 16/10/22; or, alternatively use the Live Chat service HERE.
Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image — Greater Manchester Police/David Dixon (via Geograph)
News
Football fans call out ‘tone-deaf’ FA TikTok for mocking ‘life-threatening’ head injury
Danny Jones
Football fans are calling out the official FA Cup TikTok account for mocking a serious head injury suffered by a Stockport County player earlier this week.
The Hatters beat Charlton Athletic in fine fashion with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday, 7 December, with Will Collar’s hattrick (the club’s first since 2019) sending them through to the next round of the cup.
However, another notable moment from the night was right back Macauley Southam-Hales’ collision with advertising hoarders after a shove from Charlton captain George Dobson.
As the likes of County fan Joel Ward wrote on Twitter, many online were quick to slam the clip for joking about an injury that hospitalised the player, the consensus being that it isn’t a “great look” for the FA.
Don’t think it’s a great look that the official @EmiratesFACup account is making joke tik toks about a head injury that sent our player to the hospital just a few weeks after a player nearly lost his life to a similar incident pic.twitter.com/7r9Stm8Vnr
While many reacting in the comments recognised that Dobson didn’t intend to hurt Southam-Hales by shepherding the ball out of play, the Stockport defender does hit the predominantly metal structure with some force and was left in clear discomfort following the smash.
The video itself has since been removed from the official account following the backlash but people are still reacting as the clip continues to be reshared on social media.
The clip was branded as everything from “disgusting” and “disgraceful” to “simply unbelievable”.
Considering it’s the FA cup and I’m assuming it’s an FA ran account, it should be someone pretty senior and stuff is checked thoroughly first before posting so this one’s gone under the radar I reckon.
What’s most concerning is that despite the recent push to promote awareness surrounding concussions, brain trauma and even heading the ball – which, historically, haven’t been properly monitored in football – whoever posted the video on behalf of the FA didn’t consider the very serious nature of the incident.
As alluded to above, perhaps what makes the post even more shocking and tone-deaf is that it comes just weeks after Bath City player forward Alex Fletcher was placed in intensive care following an almost identical accident.
The 23-year-old underwent life-saving brain surgery and although he has since been discharged from the hospital, he is said to have a “long road to recovery ahead of him”.
County confirmed that despite being the all-clear pitchside, Southam-Hales was taken to the hospital as a precaution after he suffered significant swelling around the neck area. Nevertheless, as we know all too well, it could have been much worse.
As for the FA, they have now apologised for the inappropriate attempt at humour, confirming that they have removed the video from all official accounts, admitting that “it should never have been published and assuring that they will “review [their] processes to ensure this never happens again.”
You can watch the full highlights from Stockport County vs Charlton Athletic HERE but we’d recommend you watch Alan Shearer reminding everyone who plays football to be more vigilant when it comes to head injuries.
Danny Jones -
18th November 2022 
