It is 2012 but plans are being prepared for the 2014 football World Cup in Brazil. The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) wanted to extend their legacy into new parts of the world so chose Brazil as the host for the 2014 World Cup.
The stadiums are behind schedule but there is another problem which FIFA want resolving. Since they are governed by the seemingly infallible Sepp Blatter, FIFA says that alcohol must be sold at the World Cup stage in Brazil.
The problem is that Brazil has banned the selling of alcohol at football grounds since 2003 as a measure to control rival fans rioting. FIFA as usual don’t seem to be in touch with reality. The FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke said “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.”1
One of the reasons for their stance is probably due to Budweiser being one of the main sponsors for the World Cup. So the much criticised FIFA want to enforce Brazil to sell Alcohol at football matches. Is this a bad thing to ask for?
Well let’s first find how dangerous alcohol is. According to a study carried out by the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs, Alcohol is a drug which is more dangerous in the UK than heroin or cocaine. The study examined nine categories of harm that drugs can do to the individual “from death to damage to mental functioning and loss of relationships” and seven types of harm to others. The maximum possible harm score was 100 and the minimum zero. Overall the most harmful drug to others was alcohol (72), heroin (55) and cocaine (54). 2
So FIFA are in reality saying that the most harmful drug to others is part of the World Cup. So which other drugs does Sepp Blatter want for the World Cup which can’t be negotiated on?
Why does the Quran say that alcohol is “satan’s handiwork” and the Bible discourage the consumption of alcohol? We all know the negative effects of alcohol on society. We all know the drinking of large quantities of alcohol will encourage violent behavior.
If you ask anyone who drinks alcohol they say they started drinking as a social drinker and claim they can handle their drink. Yet if you ask them, they will be able to tell you at least one incident when they got so drunk that they did something they regret. They might laugh to hide the embarrassment. In truth, it is extremely sad that humans who are the best of creation are intentionally choosing to be in a state of mind where they are not control of their actions and thus a danger to society. Alcohol has destroyed countless lives and will continue to do so.
Alcohol and sports has become intertwined in recent times. Major sporting events are named after alcoholic drinks and sports events are always shown in pubs and bars. People will either drink alcohol to celebrate their teams’ victory or drink alcohol in sorrow over their teams’ loss.
The only winner at the World Cup if FIFA get their wish will be Alcohol.
References
1-http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-16624823
2- http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/nov/01/alcohol-more-harmful-than-heroin-crack
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