Brazil mulls bill allowing alcohol at stadiums
Reuters - Wednesday 07 December 2011, 03:25
Brazil has moved closer to
overturning a ban on alcoholic drinks at sports venues, drafting
a bill that would allow for their sale at 2014 World Cup matches
out of deference to world football's governing body FIFA.
The "2014 World Cup Law", detailing the proposed change, was
presented by a commission of lawmakers on Tuesday, Agencia
Camara, the news agency for Brazil's lower house of congress,
reported.
The legislation, which still needs approval at three
separate stages, is a pointed concession to FIFA who want to
protect the commercial interests of their sponsors.
However, it also allows for 300,000 tickets to be sold at
half-price to pensioners, students and the handicapped among
others in a return concession by FIFA to Brazil.
If the law were to be passed, selling drinks would become
legal at grounds throughout the country, not just those staging
World Cup matches, though only in the stadiums' licensed bars
and restaurants.
Deputy Vicente Candido, who wrote the bill, described it as
a "necessary security measure", Agencia Camara said.
The discounted ticket prices would be capped at a maximum of
50 Brazilian real ($27.86) each in the bill's proposal, though
FIFA have been granted the right to fix the exact price.
The commission will vote on the bill next week and if
passed, it will then go to the lower house, which could vote on
it before the end of the year, and from there to the senate.
The bill is a result of discussions between President Dilma
Rousseff's government and FIFA over their conflicting demands,
which have included protection of sponsors and facilitating
visas for foreign visitors to the country.