Ahead of the 2018 World Cup match, alcoholic drinks are harder to find in various cities in Russia.
The waitress at Donna Olivia restaurant shook her head quickly when a visitor asked about the wine menu. Smiling, she said that the restaurant is not providing any alcoholic beverages that day. "We do not sell it when it comes to football matches," she said last Saturday.
As in Donna Olivia, liquor is commonly seen lined up on grocery store shelves, minimarkets, cafes and other restaurants. On Saturday or the day before the last match at the Ekaterinburg Arena Stadium, Senegal versus Japan, bartender at Donna Olivia closes her liquor cabinet.
Alcoholic drinks are legal in Russia. Consumers can buy it as long as the seller believes they are grown ups or can prove that they are over 18 years old. However, during the World Cup event, the freedom was restrained. Alcohol must be absolutely zero.
Kirril Malyshkin, deputy regional security chief of Moscow, said the government has set hard rules on alcoholic beverages during the World Cup event. "Sales and consumption are banned the day before and during the game," he said.
Russia once imposed this restriction in organizing Confederations Cup tournaments in Socchi last year. Only then, alcohol was banned within a 500 meter radius of the stadium or team training grounds.
The rules are issued in order to keep the comfort of football fans to enjoy the World Cup. Russia is trying to improve the quality of life of its people who are mostly "too familiar" with liquor.
Liquor is a serious problem in Russia. According to World Health Organization report in 2014, men in Russia drink at least 32 liters of liquid equivalent of pure alcohol every year.
Alcohol consumption also tarnished the history of football in the country. Many drunk fans make trouble. One of the worst notes was when Russian and British supporters, most of whom allegedly drunk, were involved in a bloody fight in Marseille during the Euro 2016.
This limitation of liquor is more strict than the use of substances classified as narcotics and drugs or hazardous substances. Supporters may carry marijuana, cocaine, and heroin to the stadium if they can show medical documents proving that they are used only for medical purpose.
All shops within a 2 kilometer radius of the stadium or subway station are prohibited from selling liquor on match day. In Moscow alone, this rule applies to almost all shops.
Everyone who wants to enter the stadium or Fan Fest area - the fans watch the broadcast on the day of the game is rigorously searched. In addition to checking the items through the scanner, the officer asked the visitors to open every bottle filled with liquid and test it.
There are actually Budweiser and Klinkoye, a local liquor brand, sold by the official at booth inside the stadium and Fan Fest. But the drinks that cost 450 rubles per can is alcohol-free. Only, it feels a bit bitter like conventional beer. The slogan "Drink smart so you can celebrate tomorrow" is everywhere.
The ban on alcohol consumption has a positive effect. The supporters can watch the match, both at the stadium and at Fan Fest, comfortably. They can go home without causing trouble even after a tense match.
Source: Tempo
Comments