🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
The FIFA World Cup, which is due to begin on Sunday in Qatar, has been dubbed soccer's Fyre Festival, after it was announced that there will be a ban on alcohol at stadiums, in a sharp u-turn on the eve of the tournament beginning.
Social media is awash with those comparing the event in the Gulf State with the infamous luxury music festival in the Bahamas, which ended in disaster and the organizer being trialed for fraud.
There has been unease about the ultimate soccer tournament being awarded to Qatar. Many have called for a boycott of the competition due to the human rights record of the nation and their treatment of LGBTQ+ people.
With the announcement of a u-turn on the alcohol policy just as the opening match is getting ready to kick-off, there have been many comments on Twitter comparing the World Cup to Fyre Festival, with fears that it could be heading on a similar path to the doomed event.
After the news of the alcohol ban, one person tweeted: "Wow the World Cup is a complete disaster. Fyre Festival all over again but 10x worse".
While another added: "Is Qatar's World Cup the 2022 Fyre Festival? #FIFA".
A third agreed about the similarities between the two events, tweeting: "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, brought to you by the guys from Fyre Festival".
There were also those who felt that the ban on beer should have been expected as there had been a number of troubling incidents in Qatar, with migrant workers building the stadiums allegedly being subjected to terrible health and safety conditions.
One user tweeted: "I'm quite enjoying that the #WorldCup is turning into the corrupt farce everyone expected. The beer ban is just the latest part of the original bid that's since been ignored. Its like Fyre Festival, but with the biggest tournament on the planet. #Qatar2022"
The ban on alcohol at stadiums was confirmed by a FIFA spokesperson, who said: "Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters.
"There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar's World Cup stadiums.
"Host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans.
The tournament organizers appreciate AB InBev's understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022."
Cabins and plastic tents at the fan villages in Qatar have also shown unfortunate similarities to the tented accommodation on offer at the doomed festival, just to ramp up the feeling that this "Fyre Festival 2.0", as one Twitter user put it.
What was Fyre Festival and why was it such a disaster?
Back in 2017, the Fyre Festival was tipped as the place to be seen for the rich and famous, with "the best in food, art, music and adventure" being offered among luxurious surrounds in the Bahamas.
The likes of reality TV star Kendall Jenner, model Bella Hadid and Justin Bieber's future wife Hailey Baldwin were all roped in to advertise and promote the glamorous festival.
Tickets cost $100,000 for the chance to experience a festival like no other.
Unfortunately, those arriving on the island found mattresses on rain-soaked floors, cheese slices on bread offered as a meal and their luggage thrown into a unlit car park.
The festival was cancelled before a band had even played a note, with Ja Rule, Pusha T, and Blink-182 all having been expected to appear.
The festival had been organized by businessman Billy McFarland who had convinced rapper Ja Rule to be his partner in the venture.
McFarland failed to pay workers on the island for their time or resources and he was eventually convicted of fraud and jailed for six years.
Ja Rule, who was described as a co-organizer of the event, was not arrested or charged in connection with the fraud.
McFarland was told he had to pay $27m back to investors, which will take more than 20 years to complete.
Do you have a tip on a sports story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the World Cup? Let us know via entertainment@newsweek.com.
