In a last-minute policy change, FIFA has prohibited fans from bringing refillable water bottles into World Cup sites, forcing thirsty fans to pay for bottled water, The Athletic reported on Wednesday.
FIFA’s official stadium code of conduct contained the following clause as recently as last month: “For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 litre in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.”
On Wednesday, The Athletic revealed that those regulations had been modified to specifically forbid refillable bottles.
An amended stadium code of conduct states that “reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium for the avoidance of doubt.”
A FIFA official told AFP that the rule change was made for safety reasons, pointing out that refillable water bottles were already prohibited at a number of World Cup locations.
The statement said, “FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff.”
“FIFA decided to outlaw bottles in order to protect players and spectators from danger and harm.
For safety reasons, “outside bottles are already prohibited at several of these venues, and FIFA is applying this consideration across its tournament stadiums.”
The document also mentioned that “the stadium footprint” would have cooling tents, fans, hydration stations, and misting stations.
The price of bottled water within the site will “remain consistent with other events held at each stadium,” it further stated.
The World Cup is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico; nevertheless, experts have warned that fans may be at danger for health problems due to intense heat in outdoor sites.
According to a report released last month by the World Weather Attribution research group, 26 out of 104 World Cup games are expected to take place in environments where the Wet Bulb Global Temperature (WBGT) is higher than 26 degrees.
WBGT, which includes temperature, humidity, wind, and sunshine, is a measurement of heat stress on the human body.
Fans were prohibited from taking water bottles into venues during the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States last year, despite their complaints about the intense heat.
