Members of FIFA’s security and safety teams “expressed concerns during internal debates” over the organization’s decision to ban fans from bringing water bottles into stadiums during the World Cup, according to Adam Crafton of THE ATHLETIC. A source within FIFA said that they believe the decision was “highly influenced by commercial considerations.” Coca-Cola is one of FIFA’s largest sponsors of the World Cup and its drinks will be on sale, including its water product Dasani. However, sources said that Coca-Cola did “not have a role in the decision,” and that it was “set by FIFA based on safety and security considerations.” Crafton notes FIFA’s “claim that it is bringing policies into line with those of the venues would appear to suggest FIFA does not have a choice in the matter.” However, FIFA “becomes the stadium operator during the World Cup.” Heat concerns in the U.S. “became one of the dominant themes during last summer’s Club World Cup.” Sources said that one of the “key learnings of last summer was the importance of protecting fans in the summer heat, yet FIFA has now made a last-gasp U-turn on the matter.” Crafton notes some host cities are “extremely unhappy about the decision.” Several have spent “significant sums and put together highly detailed plans to support World Cup fans in the summer heat outside of venues and across their cities” (THE ATHLETIC, 6/4).
FIFA water bottle ban raises concern over commercial influence in decision
