FIFA in embarrassing muddle over alcohol at the 2014 World Cup

It’s been a while since we laughed at FIFA, so let’s put correct that right now.

Before awarding the 2014 World Cup to Brazil, you’d think that FIFA might have made a check on the legislation that surrounds football events in the country. Apparently not though, because they’re now entangled in a bit of a ruck with the national government over the availability of alcohol at stadiums.

It seems that nobody at the sport’s governing body noticed that all alcoholic beverages were banned from stadia in 20003, in response to a growing supporter violence problem.

Enter Jerome Valcke, most arrogant man in all of FIFA, and also its General Secretary:

“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.

“The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law.”

Yes Jerome, alcoholic drinks are a ‘part of the FIFA World Cup’ aren’t they – especially since Budweiser are one of its biggest sponsors.

This is an example of when an organisation gets too wrapped-up in sponsorship revenue without properly examining the conditions within which a partnership can actually be activated. Maybe the proper approach might have been to do something about this in the 4 years since Brazil was awarded the World Cup? Maybe? Or better still, take it into account when awarding the competition to the country?

“A bit arrogant”, Jerome? Yeah, just a little bit.