Fans attending this summer’s World Cup matches will be banned from bringing reusable water bottles and supporters will have to pay after FIFA later changed its policy.
Despite intense heat, fans will not be allowed to bring water bottles into the stadium
FIFA made a belated U-turn and banned fans from bringing water bottles into World Cup venues despite the predicted heat wave.
The policy change came later that day, with football’s governing body saying just three weeks ago that in its official stadium code of conduct, “empty clear reusable plastic bottles of up to (1 liter) capacity may be brought into stadiums.”
The Athletic has now confirmed that FIFA has updated its code of conduct to state that “the use of reusable water bottles is no longer permitted in FIFA World Cup stadiums.”
A ban on reusable plastic bottles is likely to be controversial, as fans won’t even be able to refill empty bottles at drinking fountains or dispensers. Other types of bottles are also prohibited as they may cause injury if thrown.
FIFA has a long-standing partnership with sponsor Coca-Cola, whose water brand Dasani will be sold at World Cup venues. At last summer’s Club World Cup, venues charged up to $6 (£4.47) for bottled water, but it is unclear whether a similar price range will be used.
As with 12 months ago, heat and extreme weather conditions are expected to be an issue at this summer’s World Cup. Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said it was “impossible” to hold regular training sessions amid a “Code Red” heat warning, while Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac said he was “sweating like he just came out of the sauna”.
Maresca, who saw the match delayed for two hours due to extreme weather conditions, insisted: “I understand that we have to suspend the match for safety reasons. But to suspend seven or eight games means that this is probably not the right place for this tournament.”
Water is provided by Coca-Cola (Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The heat has also put a focus on fan safety, with water bills coming after supporters have already paid exorbitant ticket prices.
World Weather Attribution scientists claimed in a report that around 26 of the 104 matches are likely to be held if the global wet bulb temperature (WBGT) in the host city is above 26 degrees Celsius.
WBGT combines temperature, humidity, wind, and sunlight to provide a measure of heat stress and is used by the military, sports scientists, and safety professionals to prevent heat-related illnesses.
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