World Cup 2022 controversial moments: Beer bans and rainbow armbands
All eyes are on England ahead of their World Cup opener with FIFA threatening significant punishments. Meanwhile, Budweiser have found a hilarious way to deal with the booze band.
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For weeks captains of the world’s biggest teams have said they will push on with their plans to sport a rainbow armband while playing at the World Cup.
It seems they may yet be forced to abandon making their intended statement with FIFA threatening yellow and red cards as well as bans to anyone breaching rules.
There are increasing reports that FIFA will issue heavy sanctions instead of fines and so it’s all eyes on England captain Harry Kane who will be the first to test the mood in their opening clash against Iran.
“We’ve made it clear as a team and a staff and organization that we want to wear the armband,” Kane reiterated. “I know the FA are talking to FIFA at the moment, and I’m sure by game-time tomorrow they will have their decision. “We’ve made it clear that we want to wear it.”
England maintain they wrote to FIFA almost three months ago stating their intentions and are yet to receive a response.
ENGLAND WILL TAKE THE KNEE
Gareth Southgate said on Sunday that England will take the knee before their World Cup matches in Qatar to send a strong message of “inclusivity”.
On the eve of England’s Group B opener against Iran in Doha, Southgate once again found himself fielding as many questions about politics as he did on his team’s prospects.
The build-up to the tournament has been dominated by concerns over the Gulf state’s treatment of migrant workers, women and the LGBTQ community.
England did not take the knee -- a gesture against racism and other forms of discrimination -- in their most recent matches in September.
The gesture has also been scaled back in the Premier League but Southgate’s players have agreed to repeat it before their World Cup matches.
“We feel it’s a strong statement that will go around the world, to young people in particular, to show that inclusivity is very important,” he said.
England are one of several European teams who aim to show support for the LGBTQ community.
BEER BAN SPARKS FURY
The nation that wins the World Cup stands to win a massive bonus on top of the famous trophy – a motherload of free beer.
Tournament sponsor Budweiser has been left with thousands of cans of beer it can’t sell after Qatar’s last-minute ban on selling alcohol at tournament venues.
A can of Bud can still be purchased in Qatar but the only official World Cup site where fans can have a drink will be at the Doha city centre fan zone.
That leaves the company with a potential mountain of booze that could go to waste.
But it has a plan.
On Sunday Budweiser’s official Twitter account said: “New Day, New Tweet. Winning Country gets the Buds. Who will get them?”
New Day, New Tweet. Winning Country gets the Buds. Who will get them? pic.twitter.com/Vv2YFxIZa1
— Budweiser (@Budweiser) November 19, 2022
Qatar’s beer ban could cost Fifa a staggering £40 million with Budweiser prepared to play hard-ball.
The American beer company is one of the World Cup’s official sponsors and were set to provide the booze in grounds and fan zones in Qatar.
However, footy fans attending the tournament will have a dry World Cup after authorities performed a stunning U-turn on alcohol this week.
It had previously been promised that beer and other drinks would be available at all eight World Cup venues.
However, Fifa chiefs bowed to pressure from the Qatari authorities and confirmed they will not be selling alcohol at any stadiums.
It’s bad news for official beer sponsor Budweiser, who are now looking for compensation following the shock U-turn.
They currently have a deal worth around £65m with Fifa for this World Cup.
Budweiser also has a deal for the 2026 World Cup worth up to £95m.
The next tournament is being held across the USA, Canada and Mexico and will have more nations competing in it.
That means there will be 104 games in four years’ time compared to the current 64-match format.
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