Beer Must be sold at Brazil World Cup??

[HiMucker]

Beer 'must be sold' at Brazil World Cup, says FifaComments (222)  Beer has been banned at Brazilian football matches since 2003 Continue reading the main story
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Beer must be sold at all venues hosting matches in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, football's world governing body, Fifa, has insisted.

Fifa General Secretary Jerome Valcke said the right to sell beer must be enshrined in a World Cup law the Brazilian Congress is considering.

Alcoholic drinks are currently banned at Brazilian stadiums and the country's health minister has urged Congress to maintain the ban in the new law.

Brewer Budweiser is a big Fifa sponsor.

Mr Valcke is visiting Brazil to press for progress on the much-delayed World Cup law.

Fifa has become frustrated, because voting on the legislation has been held up in Congress by the dispute over alcohol sales.

The Brazilian government has also failed to resolve differences with Fifa over cut-price tickets for students and senior citizens, and demands for sponsors of the World Cup to have their trademarks protected.

'Right to sell beer'

In remarks to journalists in Rio de Janeiro, Mr Valcke sounded frustrated with Brazilian officials:

"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.

Mr Valcke criticised the pace of construction at Brazil's world cup venues
"The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law."

Alcohol was banned at Brazilian football matches in 2003 in an attempt to tackle violence between rival football fans.

Health Minister Alexandre Padilha and other members of Congress have called for the ban to be maintained.

Mr Valcke said negotiations with Brazil over details of the World Cup had been slow.

"We lost a lot of time and we were not able to discuss with people in charge that are willing to make a decision," he said, adding that it was the first time a country was still in talks five years after winning the right to host the tournament.

During his visit to Brazil Mr Valcke has been touring the stadiums in 12 cities where the 2014 World Cup will be played.

He criticised the pace of construction and said Brazil had not yet improved its infrastructure to the level needed to welcome visitors.

[HiMucker]

Im all in favour of drinking, but surely this is ridiculous and arrogant of FIFA, to try and get a country to change its law?

[lynchbhoy]

Im all in favour of drinking, but surely this is ridiculous and arrogant of FIFA, to try and get a country to change its law?

could be a bit of craic them trying this on quatar then if they are a strict islamic nation !

[theskull1]

Right enough

[thebigfella]

Nothing arrogant or ridiculous about this at all. I (could be wrong) was under the impression that the bid (and subsequently Qatar's) was  awarded on the premiss that beer; in this case brewed by one of the world cup's biggest sponsors and they would have shelled out out for exclusive rights; will be allowed to be sold at stadiums. FIFA stand to lose one of their major sponsors if it doesn't get resolved. I think they have a right to question why after 5 years the Brazilians are still dicking around. 

[HiMucker]

Nothing arrogant or ridiculous about this at all. I (could be wrong) was under the impression that the bid (and subsequently Qatar's) was  awarded on the premiss that beer; in this case brewed by one of the world cup's biggest sponsors and they would have shelled out out for exclusive rights; will be allowed to be sold at stadiums. FIFA stand to lose one of their major sponsors if it doesn't get resolved. I think they have a right to question why after 5 years the Brazilians are still dicking around.

Not saying your wrong here, maybe I am bit naive, but I wouldnt have thought this would have been part of the bidding process.  Also interms of a percentage of global revenue, what sort of money would budwiser loss out on here.  Sure if they sponsor the event are the fans not as likely to drink budwiser when the match is over?