If FIFA had any goodwill remaining with fans planning on attending the World Cup this summer, their reserves should be just about dried up by now.
On Wednesday, reports emerged that the international soccer body stealthily made a change to stadium policies that will prohibit fans from bringing their own refillable water bottles to matches.
When the change officially was made is uncertain, but as recently as last week FIFA’s stadium code of conduct included a clause which read: “For the avoidance of doubt, empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles, up to (1 litre in) capacity, may be brought into the Stadium.”
However, as reported by The Athletic, that clause has been changed to read: “For the avoidance of doubt, reusable water bottles may not be brought into the stadium.”
FIFA has stated that the last-minute rule change – the first match of the tournament is set for Thursday, June 11 – is due to safety concerns.
“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers, and staff,” FIFA said in a statement to AFP.
“FIFA made the decision to prohibit bottles to prevent risk and injury to players and attendees.”
The statement added that features such as misting stations, fans, hydration stations and cooling tents would be available in “the stadium footprint.”
What concerns does the bottle ban raise?
Fans should rightfully be upset about this rule change for several reasons.
While FIFA is citing so-called safety concerns, the health and well-being of many fans could be at risk.
With summer temperatures potentially hitting more than 30C in Toronto in late June and early July, heat warnings could be issued in the city during matches.
On the pitch, FIFA already announced the addition of “hydration breaks” for players, pausing matches once per half.
Many fans also have called out FIFA on social media, saying that this bottle ban is just the latest in a long line of price-gouging tactics in a tournament that already has been rife with them.
What other items are banned?
With the banning of water bottles, fans should also be aware of the other items that they are prohibited from bringing to BMO Field and other venues across North America.
First of all, it will be tough to even try to get many of the following items inside World Cup stadiums because backpacks and purses are essentially banned.
While clear plastic bags can have a maximum size of 30cm x 15cm x 30cm, purses, wallets and clutches must be a maximum of 11.5cm x 16.5cm.
If you were hoping to bring any sort of musical instrument – a drum, perhaps – it better be a small one.
The dimensions listed for “any musical instruments, mechanical or manual” are 12cm x 12cm x 12cm. For reference, your phone is almost certainly longer than 12 cm.
As for flags and banners, they must be no larger than two metres by 1.5 metres, but must include no political or offensive messages. Promotional and commercial material is also banned.
The full list of prohibited items can be found on FIFA’s official site.