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Football fans can be banned from drinking alcohol in Saudi Arabia throughout the 2034 World Cup – with none exceptions.
The Kingdom, which was confirmed because 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 foundations for the World Cup after a precedent set by Qatar, one other Muslim country, throughout the 2022 event.
Supporters were capable of buy alcohol from chosen hotels, but not on the stadiums.
That won’t be the case in Saudi Arabia, nevertheless, as confirmed by Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, ambassador to the UK.
He told LBC that hotels, restaurants or stadiums won’t be permitted to serve alcoholic beverages throughout the tournament.
When asked if fans would have the opportunity to purchase alcohol anywhere throughout the tournament, the prince replied: ‘No, no. There isn’t a alcohol in any respect.
‘Moderately like our weather, it’s a dry country. For the time being we don’t allow alcohol, but you realize, loads of fun may be had without alcohol.
‘It is just not 100% mandatory. And you realize, if you need to drink whenever you leave, after you permit, you’re welcome to. But in the intervening time, we would not have alcohol.
‘Everyone has their very own culture and we’re pleased to accommodate people inside the boundaries of our culture, but we don’t want to alter our culture for another person. And I mean, really, you may’t live and not using a drink?’
The confirmation should a minimum of end any confusion for Fifa’s potential beer sponsors.
Following the confirmation of Saudi Arabia as a bunch nation, an announcement by Saudi diaspora human rights groups, migrant employees’ 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 in danger.
‘Based on clear evidence up to now, Fifa knows employees can 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 most of the human rights abuses that may follow.’
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