The right to sell beer must be “enshrined in a World Cup law” the Brazilian Congress is considering, FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke has asserted.

The country, which will host the 2014 World Cup, has banned the sale of alcoholic drink at Brazilian stadiums since 2003 in an attempt to reduce violence between football fans.

The country’s health minister has urged Congress to maintain the ban in the new law, to the dismay of some FIFA officials.

BBC reports:

In remarks to journalists in Rio de Janeiro, Mr Valcke sounded frustrated with Brazilian officials: “Alcoholic drinks are part of the Fifa World Cup, so we’re going to have them. Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that’s something we won’t negotiate,” he said.

“The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law.”

Qatar has also promised to serve alcohol at the World Cup in 2022, but only in “dedicated fan zones.” 

Given how it’s handling Brazil, is it possible that FIFA will push for wider availability than that?