Don't worry football fans, if you're planning to attend the the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, you'll still be able to get drunk.
Although it's illegal in Qatar to consume alcohol or be drunk in public, Qatar has promised to deal "very gently" with violators during the event.
Hassan al-Thawadi, Qatar 2022 organizing committee chief executive, said that special courts were being considered to deal with offenders.
"I know in South Africa there were specific courts established during the World Cup for this kind of thing, and that is something we were discussing with Fifa," Thawadi said, according to Reuters . "In relation to drunk fans it will be as it is anywhere else, anyone who is rowdy, anyone who breaches the law, will be very gently – depending on how they react – taken care of in a manner to make sure that people are not disrupting the public order. Everyone will be able to have fun and be exposed to Qatari culture."
Normally alcohol is only available at hotels that cater to tourists in the emirate, as well as a national liquor store and the airport. However, Qatar will likely create special zones during the World Cup where fans can drink freely.
While many remain skeptical about how Qatar will handle drunken fans, it's important to note that public drunkenness is an offense in many countries throughout the world. Sitting squarely in the spotlight with the aims of increasing tourism and bringing more international sporting events to the country, Qatar will definitely want to avoid disturbing fans experience while ensuring safety and orderliness during the event.
So, don't worry fans, you can drink. Just respect the rules ... like you would anywhere else in the world.
