90,000 Sober Fans? BooOOOooOOOoooo!!!!

By: Mauro | July 2nd, 2008

The CBF (Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) have decided to extend their dry stadium policy to tonight’s final match at the Maracaná stadium. What does this mean in plain English? No alcohol at the stadium.

Now seriously, I’m totally up for a few beers during a match, you know, maybe one or two at the stadium’s highly inflated prices, but to not have that option has to be a tough one. For me, that would make tailgating a bigger deal than it would have been otherwise but since people in the US are among the small minority in the world who drive to stadiums, tailgating will most likely not be an option.

Since May, Brazilian footy fans have not been able to enjoy a sip of stadium-sold-alcohol in front of their teams. And up until today, this “law” was only applicable to the local Brazilian league and CBF organized matches played in Brazil.

This measure was taken with the last Copa Libertadores match in mind, where Fluminense hosted Boca Juniors. It was reported that there were disturbances in the stands during that semifinal match and the police were forced to intervene to control a small group of fans of the Argentine side.

At least they are taking measures to try to curb alcohol induced violence. Of course, this does not take into account that jersey colors and flares are what start most of the trouble in stadiums but at least they’ve started somewhere.

I am also aware that there will be plenty of alcohol available before the match at people’s homes and at many liquor stores on the way to the match so I know that not all the fans will be sober. I could even see that the number of non-sober fans would greatly outnumber the sober fans.

Keep in mind that the 1,000 or so LDU fans are most likely Ecuadorian and let’s just say that in my experience, I’ve come to know that people from that region like a drink or two as well. Also, kudos to those who can sneak in their libations because they greased their cousin who works one of the gates.

Enjoy the match. Check my preview of it here and LONG LIVE THE COPA LIBERTADORES!!!!!!