Qatar, in reversal, bans alcohol sales at World Cup stadiums

DOHA, Qatar — World Cup organizers said Friday they were abandoning plans to sell beer around match stadiums, a reversal after Qatar previously said that beer would be sold “within the stadium perimeter” for designated periods before and after World Cup matches.

A statement by FIFA, soccer’s global governing body, said the decision came “following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA,” but did not give any further detail on the reasons for the decision. Beer would continue to be sold at other areas designated for World Cup fans, the statement said.