UPDATE: June 5: FIFA has now reversed the ban.
FIFA is banning spectators at World Cup matches from bringing reusable water bottles into its stadiums, after initially saying it would allow them.
Just three weeks ago, FIFA updated its code of conduct policy for North American venues, stating that “empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 litre in) capacity, may be brought into the stadium,” Reuters reported, but backpedalled Thursday, saying they were no longer allowed and that fans will now have to purchase bottled water on site.
In a statement to NBC News on Thursday, a FIFA spokesperson said the decision was made as a safety precaution.
“FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees,” the statement said.
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“Outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues for safety considerations, and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums.”
There are 48 teams set to play in the World Cup beginning this month in Mexico City, with matches also being hosted at 16 venues across North America, including in Toronto and Vancouver.
Many are also in areas prone to high temperatures and humidity, such as Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico, as well as Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta, that can be dangerous for both players and spectators.
Team Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium (BMO Field) on June 12. The temperature at the time of the match is forecast to be 26 C, according to the Weather Network. Vancouver has a milder climate, with average June temperatures hovering around the 20 C mark.
In its statement, FIFA said it was co-ordinating with local officials on a heat safety plan.
“FIFA works closely with each host city committee and local authorities on heat mitigation factors for fans travelling to the stadium, which can include resources such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations, cooling tents and more around the stadium footprint,” the statement said.
FIFA said water prices will not be higher than what the venues generally charge.
According to its website, BMO Field, where six Toronto matches will be played, has on-site water fountains near sections 105, 106, 111, and 114, though spectators will not be able to refill their own bottles with them. At BC Place in Vancouver, water stations are available near sections 204, 211, 218, 225, 231, 238, 245, 252, 305 and 310.
The water ban comes amid fan complaints over the cost of attending the tournament. As of publication, tickets have not sold out.
When they went on general sale in January, they ranged from US$140 to $8,680, The Associated Press reported. Since then, some have been made available for less and others for significantly more — rising to a face price of $32,970 for the final.
FIFA can make more money on its resale marketplace, where it takes a 30 per cent commission from each sale. In April, the platform listed four tickets to the final for just under $2.3 million each.
— with files from Reuters and Global News’ Adriana Fallico
NO ROBBERY GOING ON HERE !!!
They’ll make their money from the upper class who chose to attend. Most people have chosen not to give in to such a corrupt gauging organization. Football is for the people, not the Epstein class.
I have been going to FIFA soccer games for most of my life…. That announcement is the straw that has broken the camels back. I, and my group of friends have made this decision because FIFA is so pretty.. FIFA YOU CAN GO F#$@@ YOURSELVES.
Keep polluting the planet with plastic water bottles FIFA. Great plan!
Costing taxpayers millions of dollars! For what?
Well this will blow up in there faces.
Even more people will refuse to go because of this
No wonder people don’t attend the events!!
You know, it seems like FIFA thinks “its all that” and frankly, I so far fail to see the benefit to BC’s involvement, its a big expensive party for not many people’s pleasure, pretty big price tag for the province, its a want not a need, like I always told my kids, learn the difference
Hydration is a life safety issue, and I find it inappropriate that FIFA would sell water at a profit in sun-baked stadiums. Are they trying to keep out alcohol, ironic since alcohol is for sale in these venues – meaning they don’t care if people drink as long as the venue profits, not the store down the street. I don’t know the answer but I would like to know the city has reviewed and signed off on this policy.
It should be up to the venue, not FIFA as to what is allowed in their stadium.
Soccer is gay…
If you can afford $700-$1,500 for a ticket to watch teams ranked 20th in the world you can afford $10 for a bottle of water.
Another reason to give FIFA the middle finger.
Just greed masked in B.S.
Another money grab opportunity!
I suspect, similar to Disney Land, the cost of a bottle of water will be directly related to the outside temperature. 12C =$5.00, 25C =$8.50, 32C =$15.00.
For the safety of the players? More like for extra money in your pocket since no one’s buying tickets lol.
FIFA: immoral, opportunistic, useless and corrupt. Just like Europe.
You know that $10.00 bottle of fiffa water will from the tap
Water is expected to cost $5~$10 per 500ml bottle .. basically extortion!
“Pricing will be consistent with other events held at the stadium.” As if water bottles aren’t horrifically overpriced at regular events these days.
Fifa is terrible. I would never support them. They boycotted bars give him a hard time and now they’re giving people a hard time to bring in reusable water. You know what? This is a terrible terrible thing and then on top of that the city gives him a billion dollars. Who the hell do they think they are?
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I hate FIFA. I hate soccer period. FIFA is mafia run. Get the f*ck out my country.
Reminds me of Trudeau when he banned straws and then talked about the they use pop bottle drink box kinda things.
That’s fine, I have no plans giving any of my hard earned money to these thieves.
Reusable water containers not allowed but projectiles can be purchased on site.
I would NEVER SUPPORT these elitists people. The only thing they understand is control
What a f*ckin joke. Of course all the brainless will still pay their average $1300 ticket price and $10 or more for a bottle of water.
Whats a luke warm glass of beer? $25? $100 bucks get you a dog and some cold fries. Ketchup is $5.
If there ever was an event to boycott its this 80 million dollar per game event. How can anyone want to support that?
$10 per bottle???
B
There talking about empty reusable bottles !!! no one has been allowed to take bottled liquids into a venue for over ten years. I wouldn’t mind if they charged $2 a bottle of water inside the stadium but you know it will cost you minimum $8 just another way to gouge the FIFA way.
FIFA can chortle my cashes.
Am I the only one who agrees with this? A lot of people sneak in alcohol and God knows what else. I wouldn’t be suprised if somebody tried sneaking in a weapon inside a water bottle or something along those lines it’s good to take precautions
Soccer is garbage. Wished NFL would come to Canada instead.
Like they aren’t going to make enough money off the fans!!!
I thinks they don’t want people bringing in their own booze, tbh I don’t know any stadium, CFL or NHL, that you can bring your own water bottle into a arena/stadium. Also with tickets in that price range and people are really complaining about water prices… yeesh get a grip.
So much for their environmental message
Typical FIFA controlling everything even down to the water people drink. It’s got nothing to do with safety if people want to throw things on the pitch they will buy the water bottles and do it. With FIFA like the IOC it’s all about the money and how much they can rip people off.
GoOd this is what you get in Canada! Go Carney Go!!
Good. Hope they charge 50$ per bottle so the public wont want this venue ever again. After ticket, hotel, taxi and food costs were raised this comes as no surprise.
money grab, waste of my tax dollars
On a lighter side, FIFA is mirroring Darth Vader’s obsession in Empire Strikes Back and I feel like Lando Calrisian realizing he’s made a bad deal.
Who negotiated this nonsense? There’s a need to force people to pay an exorbitant amount for tap water and toxic plastic? Capitalist communism?
Anyway, let’s keep pretending to save the environment to allow corporations to bottle water with petrol by products.
Whatever. Fatigue.
FKers. 30 bucks a bottle, I bet.Greedy FKers