Alcohol banned at Saudi World Cup 2034, including in stadiums and hotels
Football fans will be banned from drinking alcohol in Saudi Arabia during the 2034 World Cup – without any exceptions.
The Kingdom, which was confirmed as the host nation for the tournament in December, has had a strict ban on alcohol since 1952.
Tourists caught breaking the law face prison sentences, hefty fines, public flogging and deportation.
There was an expectation that Saudi authorities will bend the rules for the World Cup after a precedent set by Qatar, another Muslim country, during the 2022 event.
Supporters were able to buy alcohol from selected hotels, but not at the stadiums.
That will not be the case in Saudi Arabia, however, as confirmed by Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, ambassador to the UK.
A model of a stadium inside the Saudi Arabia World Cup bid exhibition (Picture: Reuters)
He told LBC that hotels, restaurants or stadiums will not be permitted to serve alcoholic beverages during the tournament.
When asked if fans would be able to buy alcohol anywhere during the tournament, the prince replied: ‘No, no. There is no alcohol at all.
‘Rather like our weather, it is a dry country. At the moment we do not allow alcohol, but you know, plenty of fun can be had without alcohol.
‘It is not 100% necessary. And you know, if you want to drink when you leave, after you leave, you are welcome to. But at the moment, we do not have alcohol.
‘Everyone has their own culture and we are happy to accommodate people within the boundaries of our culture, but we don’t want to change our culture for someone else. And I mean, really, you can’t live without a drink?’
The proposed Aramco Stadium being built specially for the 2032 tournament (Picture: Reuters)
The confirmation should at least end any confusion for Fifa’s potential beer sponsors.
Following the confirmation of Saudi Arabia as a host nation, a statement by Saudi diaspora human rights groups, migrant workers’ organisations from Nepal and Kenya and international trade unions condemned it as a ‘moment of great danger’.
Steve Cockburn, Amnesty International’s head of Labour Rights and Sport, said: ‘Fifa’s reckless decision to award the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia without ensuring adequate human rights protections are in place will put many lives at risk.
‘Based on clear evidence to date, Fifa knows workers will be exploited and even die without fundamental reforms in Saudi Arabia, and yet has chosen to press ahead regardless.
‘The organisation risks bearing a heavy responsibility for many of the human rights abuses that will follow.’
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