Qatar pays England, Wales fans to attend WC

LONDON - A group of England fans will be paid by Qatar to attend the World Cup and chant on command at matches and the opening ceremony, it was claimed today, with the Welsh also signed up to a scheme branded ‘sinister’ by critics.

The 40 football supporters from each country will reportedly be instructed to deliver positive messages about their experience in the Gulf state and report critical social media posts.

The idea is that the fans should sit together, singing and waving flags for the television cameras, The Times claims.

Influencers and celebrities have also reportedly been signed up by Qatar, which counts David Beckham as an official ambassador.

Supporters from Wales have also signed up to the so-called Fan Leader Programme, along with 30 other nations’ fans. But critics have said they are being used as part of a ‘sinister, distasteful’ marketing exercise.

In return for staying in Qatar for a minimum of two weeks, they will enjoy free flights and accommodation as well as £60-a-day spending money on a pre-loaded card from tournament sponsor Visa.

They will also reportedly receive complimentary tickets to the opening ceremony and matches having signed a ‘code of conduct’ before they take off for Doha on November 17.

They will be urged to post favourable comments about the tournament on social media and report ‘any offensive, degrading or abusive comments’ to organisers, preferably with screenshots.

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A statement by the CAS, as per the Athletic said: ‘‘The panel held that the ‘Purchase Obligation’ had been triggered at the end of the 2019-2020 season, even though the season had concluded later than expected due to the disruption caused by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and confirmed the ‘Challenged Decision’ in full, including the obligation of LUFC to pay to RB Leipzig the first instalment of the transfer fee, the two other instalments being not due yet, at the time of the FIFA procedure.’’

Leeds released a statement in the aftermath of the verdict in which they said they would carefully review all their options with a view to appeal.

In the statement they said the ruling ‘contradicts’ FIFA regulations in view of the unique impact left by the COVID-19 pandemic.