Fifa, that much-reviled body that rules world football and has been subject in the past to allegations of corruption, is at it again.
It is insisting that beer must be sold at all venues hosting matches in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, despite the fact that alcohol is banned at Brazilian stadiums.
“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,” says.Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke.
“The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law.”
Alcohol was banned at Brazilian football matches in 2003 as part of attempts to tackle violence between rival football fans.
Could Fifa’s insistence have something to do with the fact that brewer Budweiser is a big Fifa sponsor?
Surely not!