As Qatar created history by becoming the first host nation to lose their opening game in the World Cup's 92-year history, the Ecuador fans had their priorities straight as they were heard chanting "We want Beer". Hundreds of Ecudarion fans chanted "We want beer!" from the stands as their side outplayed Qatar in a 2-0 win at the Al Bayt Stadium.
The fans from the other side of the pond of South America bellowed out their disapproval of Qatar's decision to ban alcohol at the eleventh hour. Enner Valencia's duplet goals left Ecuador breezing through but the fans wanted to celebrate the win by raising a toast.
Ecuador fans were heard chanting: 'Queremos cerveza', which translates to 'We want beer'.
The U-turn on the alcohol from Qatar came 48 hours before the kick-off which prompted outcry and ire from fans that share a deep-entrenched beer culture. The ban means that FIFA will have to play hardball with Budweiser and incur a loss to the tune of INR 3,87,40,65,200.00.
Budweiser is an American beer company who were all set to serve booze at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Budweiser will now look for compensation as the eight designated stadiums for the World Cup have prohibited alcohol.
Fans on social media were manifestly on the side of Ecuador fans as the beer ban is an anomaly in football. It is to be noted that the ban on beer is due to the orthodox regime in Qatar which restricts freedom on myriad things and one of them happens to be alcohol. Fans in Qatar reacted with a mix of anger and resignation at the ban, with 25-year-old England supporter Alex Todd describing it as 'madness'. 'Why is the World Cup here when basic pleasures are taken from you,' he asked.
However after Qatar reneged on the deal, there are exemptions to this ban where there are special "fan zones" to buy a pint of beer which will come at the price of 1,161.26 Indian Rupee.
