Did you know people like to drink at sporting events? FIFA learned this!
FIFA is surprised how drunk people are at the World Cup
This might surprise you, but FIFA might be out of touch with the way things work and might sometimes bend to people who give them lots of money.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Alcohol sales had been banned at Brazilian soccer games since 2003 due to fan violence, but because Budweiser gives FIFA a lot of money, FIFA insisted Brazil lift the ban for the World Cup. But when Sepp Blatter’s No. 2, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, went to Brazil, he was shocked -- SHOCKED -- by the booziness. From the AP:
“I was amazed by the number of people who were drunken and the level of alcohol” in Brazil, he said, adding “I was a bit surprised.”
a) YES, PEOPLE DRINK AT SPORTING EVENTS
b) If you’re going to stiff-arm people into following your will to make some cash, you’re not allowed to complain when it turns out that there was reason for them to not want to get stiff-armed.
FIFA is going to have to decide whether or not they’ll force Qatari stadiums to sell alcohol if they choose to allow the country to host the 2022 World Cup as planned, as alcohol consumption in public is forbidden in the Gulf nation.
UPDATE: As a commenter sticky1390 points out below, Valcke had kinda different thoughts in 2012:
“Alcoholic drinks are part of the Fifa World Cup, so we’re going to have them. Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that’s something we won’t negotiate,” he said.
Turns out people drink those, buddy.
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