Tourists rely on Doha locals to help buy beer

In the race for alcohol in the World Cup, the forewarned had the advantage. Fans with contacts in Qatar were helped to stock up on drinks in their apartments rented for the World Cup.

THE Sheet spoke with two tourists who are in the country for the football and a resident of Qatar who helped them buy and store alcohol. The names will be preserved at the request of the interviewees.

Beer has become the center of controversy at the biggest sporting event on the planet, which begins this Sunday (20th), when Qatar faces Ecuador. Last Friday (18), the monarchy of the Arab nation, through the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, decided to ban the sale of the drink inside stadiums and in their surroundings.

Budweiser, official sponsor of the Cup, paid US$ 75 million (about R$ 450 million) for the right to market its products. The company was surprised by the decision, although the government had already given a previous order for the North American company’s stands to be moved to less visible locations.

FIFA, despite having announced that the measure was by mutual agreement, did not expect the ban to occur. For leaders, Qatar waited until the moment when there was no more time for a movement to revoke the ban on alcohol in the arenas.

An Italian and an Uruguayan heard by the report, concerned about the news of the difficulty of buying beers in the country, asked for help from a foreigner who lives in Qatar and has a resident card. With it, it is possible to go to the state distribution center outside Doha or to the few points authorized to sell alcoholic beverages, buy the product and take it home.

In those cases, she took them to apartments rented by tourists. The resident said she knows others who have done the same for friends who have traveled to Doha.

The two tourists invested around US$ 600 (just over R$ 3,200) each to guarantee a supply of beer and wine during the competition, which ends on December 18th.

Alcohol consumption is not permitted under Islam, the official religion of Qatar. Being seen drunk on the street is considered a crime.

Beer, however, is banned only on and within stadium perimeters. It is not difficult to consume it in Doha, as long as you have a good financial condition. Alcohol is allowed in bars authorized by the government, which are mainly inside hotels. A 500 ml glass of beer sells for around 50 Qatari Rials (about R$74).

The day after the ban, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he feels Arab, in a way of supporting the first World Cup held in the region. A choice criticized since Qatar won the election, in December 2010. Last week, the Swiss Joseph Blatter, former president of the organization, said that the choice was a mistake.

“Of course I’m not Qatari, I’m not Arab, I’m not African, I’m not gay, I’m not disabled. But I feel like it because I know what it means to be discriminated against, to be bullied, like a foreigner in a foreign country. As a child, I suffered bullying because he had red hair and freckles, as well as being Italian,” said Infantino.