Big kick-off over no-booze Qatar

■ WHY did Qatar ban the sale of alcohol in stadiums just two days before the start of the tournament? Why did they not inform FIFA this would be an issue at the start of the bidding process?

There have been problems with this World Cup from the start, from LGBTQ+ rights to the migrant labourers who built the stadiums. It seems Qatar just wanted the prestige and money from being the hosts and didn’t say anything until it was too late. I hope sponsor Budweiser is being compensated for their loss.

Qatar should never have been selected but it seems greed is more important to football than the game itself these days or the fans who pay a fortune to watch.

Melvyn Kaye, Portsmouth

■ The fact that the World Cup is being held in Qatar at all is disgusting enough, but the country’s treatment of fans and now sponsors is utterly disgraceful. If I had paid a fortune for a ticket, travel and to stay in Qatar only to be treated in this manner, I would demand a full refund from FIFA. If refused, I would boycott all future FIFA events.

As for Budweiser, I would hope its management would demand a full refund of every penny they have put into the tournament, and failing that, they should also threaten to boycott future FIFA events.

Ian McNicholas, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent

■ It beggars belief that Qatar has banned alcohol at World Cup games at just two days’ notice. You have to ask if this was their plan all along? How can they just change the rules like that?

There were already strict conditions around the sale of beer due to it being a dry country, and that’s fair enough, but to treat fans and sponsors in this way is beyond contempt.

I just feel sorry for the supporters who have paid a fortune for travel and tickets. This is certainly going to be a World Cup like no other.

Dave Hill, Sheffield

■ So, the Qataris have decided that alcohol can’t be served in stadiums after all. And this after Budweiser sponsored the World Cup. What else will they U-turn on, I wonder?

The World Cup should never have been given to Qatar with its abysmal human rights record. I believe it’s all down to greed.

Alan Robinson, Liverpool

■ Andy Dunn got it spot on about booze and England fans not always mixing (Mirror, November 18). I stopped drinking years ago and don’t miss it.

I only went to the races once at York while I was still drinking. There were hundreds there on pub trips like us and it was a nightmare experience.

Most of the punters just wanted booze and weren’t bothered about the racing. Racing pundit John McCririck had to put up with drunks while trying to do his job. I’ve never been to the races again.

Malcolm Lee, Rossendale, Lancs

■ Well, well, well... here we go again. The World Cup is now upon us and Wales and England are both there. Not that you would know as mostly it’s England, England, England.

We are British too, so I hope fans and the media will show us some support too. You never know, we may do better than England!

Phil German

Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf

■ Morgan Freeman has gone right down in my estimation after appearing at the World Cup opening ceremony.

He has lent his name and prestige to a government with a disgusting human rights record.

I expected much better from him.

Derek McMillan Durrington, West Sussex