FIFA’s water u-turn blasted by footy supporters chairman

DOONHAMERS Tartan Army chairman Ross Corbett has slammed FIFA after they performed a last-minute u-turn on its stadium policy for the World Cup, completely banning fans from bringing reusable water bottles into venues across North America.

The decision has raised immediate alarms regarding fan safety, especially given the high temperatures expected at host cities.

Just three weeks ago, FIFA’s official Stadium Code of Conduct explicitly permitted empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles up to one litre in capacity.

However, ticket holders were recently notified of an abrupt update.

The revised code of conduct completely removes the previous allowance. It now states: “For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.”

Other types of bottles remain banned due to the perceived risk of projectiles causing injury.

However, extending this ban to empty plastic containers has drawn fierce criticism, as it prevents fans from utilising stadium water fountains or dispensers.

Supporters groups have quickly condemned the decision, pointing out a double standard in how football fans are policed compared to spectators of other major sports.

A concerned Mr Corbett said: “It’s people’s welfare we are dealing with here.

“With the predicted high temperatures there should be the facility for supporters to refill water bottles.

“If it’s any other sport it wouldn’t be an issue, but football supporters are treated unfairly all the time.”