DOHA – World Cup followers in Qatar mentioned the atmosphere was completely different without alcohol, however they had been divided over whether or not that was good or not.

Some mentioned the absence of booze in stadiums and its restricted availability elsewhere within the Arab nation had detracted from the atmosphere inside and out of doors stadiums.

Others mentioned it had made no distinction and even improved it, making it extra family-friendly and fewer aggressive, and wished it replicated at future World Cups.

The sale of alcohol at World Cup stadiums in Qatar was banned two days earlier than the match in a coverage U-turn, though it was obtainable at fan zones and most worldwide resorts.

“It has brought some positivity to the World Cup,” mentioned Ghana fan Assenso Ata Peter forward of the Black Stars’ tournament-ending defeat to Uruguay on Friday.

“The conduct of the supporters has been so very good, so nice because they are not drinking alcohol,” added the 40-year-old.

“If we continue with this, the tournament can continue to be successful every time”, he mentioned.

Mike and Luke, in Qatar to look at Australia’s shock run into the knockout stage, had been clutching water and mushy drinks as they caught the sport between South Korea and Portugal at Education City Stadium.

“It’s hard, it’s hard (without alcohol), it definitely takes the edge off the atmosphere, it’s not as… it’s different,” mentioned Luke, 39.

“It’s more like a family atmosphere as opposed to a party atmosphere — you’ve got families, kids, they’re the ones that are doing the cheering,” added 36-year-old Mike.

Kang Yong-ki, who was on the similar recreation, mentioned no alcohol was allowed at matches so he may reside without it.

“I suspect some of the atmosphere would be higher (more intense) if alcohol existed but generally it’s not very different with alcohol or not,” mentioned the 45-year-old from Seoul.

“But of course it’s good for families,” he added.

The majority of women and men, supporters AFP spoke to, mentioned it made no distinction to them, both as a result of they don’t drink alcohol or it’s by no means allowed at soccer of their nation anyway.

And matches notably involving groups from South America and North Africa. have nonetheless performed out in entrance of electrical atmospheres.

“I really don’t care, I’m just here to watch Cristiano Ronaldo,” mentioned “Amanda” from Lebanon, who most well-liked to not give her actual identify.

“I don’t know why the world is making such a big deal of it”, she mentioned.

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England followers had lengthy been related to alcohol-fueled dysfunction, with the ultimate of the European Championship at Wembley in the summertime of 2021 between the house aspect and Italy being marred by hooliganism.

There was heavy consuming, and likewise drug-taking, amongst some England supporters.

Kevin Fulcher and Kevin Hall, who had travelled throughout the globe to look at England, mentioned that they had no drawback with the shortage of alcohol.

“I think in some ways, when people have had a drink, the edges can get a bit blurred and it might create issues among football fans,” mentioned Hall, 63.

“Whereas if you’re sober, you’re less inclined to have confrontation”, he mentioned.

“We’ve not seen any confrontation whatsoever- you’re all mixing coming out of the ground, he added.

“We’ve been to different tournaments and I believe this one is extra numerous than some other when it comes to kids”, he said.

Fulcher added: “You see households, children, I’ve seen infants in stadiums”.

They could not pinpoint the reason for that but said it was not necessarily down to the lack of alcohol.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, head of Britain’s football policing, called the behaviour of England and Wales fans in Qatar “exemplary” and said there had been no arrests or incidents among those supporters.

He said the atmosphere at games involving England and Wales had been “passionate however pleasant”.

“It could be mistaken to thoroughly attribute good behaviour to the restrictions on alcohol, however I do assume it has helped to some extent,” he mentioned in feedback to AFP.