Well, no one surely predicted this to happen. Or maybe they did. Chaotic scenes broke out inside and outside the fan festival at Al Bidda Park in Doha on Sunday an hour before the kick-off of the opening World Cup match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador after organizers allowed too many fans to flood the precinct. Here’s what you need to know.
The venue has a capacity of 40,000 but at least double that number of people tried to make their way in and for a long time many were let into a holding area between the main festival park and the perimeter entrance. Police realized the problem and had to shepherd irate supporters back out of the venue.
Qatar World Cup Opens Up To Chaotic Scene Ahead Of Game Opener
“It was dangerous,” said one fan carrying a child aged nearly four, who had exited the holding area. “They let too many people in. We never made it into the main area and I was glad to leave.”
The police took about 45 minutes to clear the excess fans from the area. Frustrated local fans, volunteers and media were visibly upset with police, but supporters of other countries appeared more understanding.
Earlier in the week it was reported that Qatar had banned the sale of alcohol to fans at World Cup stadiums. Now no one attending matches will be able to consume alcohol within the stadium perimeter, with the exception of corporate spectators. FIFA released a statement confirming the removal of sales points of beer from the stadium perimeters “following discussions between the host country authorities and FIFA.”
It is understood Qatar, as hosts, are concerned about the impact of alcohol sales on fans for whom drinking is not part of the culture – not just Qataris but people from other parts of the Middle East and Asia more widely. Supporters will still be able to consume alcohol in designated fan zones, but the incident throws into question the degree to which FIFA has control over the tournament. It will have an unhappy sponsor on its hands in Budweiser.
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