The 64 matches are expected to draw a total viewing audience of over 30 billion people in more than 100 countries. A-B agreed to sponsor the world's most televised sports event, hoping that intensive lobbying efforts would win an exemption to France's Loi Evin, which forbids TV advertising or sports sponsorship by alcoholic beverage companies. Their efforts failed. Impact International December 15, 1997. In October, an ABC broadcast of the Philadelphia Eagles football game showed numerous brawls that were alcohol related.
Authorities say alcohol is the most disruptive force in the stadium.
The city decided to take action and create swift justice by setting up stadium court. The stadium court in Philadelphia is an extension of the city's nuisance night court program. The program sets up temporary courtrooms in neighborhoods where minor but annoying crimes are common. At Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, the only place team officials could commandeer as a courtroom was a drafty maintenance room. But it worked.