Football fans attending the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia will not be allowed to buy alcohol during their time there. Hands up anyone who is surprised. The sale of alcohol is outlawed in the desert kingdom, and penalties for consumption include flogging, jail or deportation.
Prince Khalid bin Bandar Sultan Al Saud doesn’t come across as someone who spends much time in pubs
The Saudis are also notoriously indifferent to the notion of human rights, so they’re hardly likely to respect the desire – some might describe it as a basic right – of some football fans to have a few bevvies before, during and after a match.
The Saudi ambassador to the UK confirmed the ban on beer and other alcoholic drinks, adding for good measure that “plenty of fun can be had without alcohol”. It is probably safe to say that the Saudi idea of fun is somewhat different to that of the average football supporter. Yet
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