This year’s World Cup in Qatar is controversial. Human rights groups have long criticized the emirate for the way it handles women’s rights. The life of guest workers is also a sad subject. Thousands of them are said to have died during the construction of the stadiums. Blick also got an idea of the conditions on site.
To counteract the bad reputation, the Qataris have now come up with something very special. At the end of September, they sent invitations to the World Cup to some well-known fans. This included free flights to Qatar, free tickets to the games, free accommodation and even some pocket money – all funded by the desert state, as the New York Times reports.
«Stay true to my values»
But there is a catch with the fantastic offer. Because the happy fans have to stick to contracts. For example, they should sing what they are told. They must also report posts from other fans on social media that are critical of Qatar.
Despite these demands, hundreds of fans have already signed up, according to the New York Times. 50 Dutch people travel to the World Cup at the expense of the Qataris, the broadcaster ‘NOL’ reports. An American fan would have accepted the offer and agreed to seek other American fans for the trip.
Other fans, on the other hand, would not have followed the controversial invitation. As Joseph Delage, a French fan, told Le Parisien, “Despite the tasty side of this dish, I preferred to stay true to my values.” It is not known whether Swiss fans have also received an invitation.
Similar offer at World Athletics Championships
Asked about the invitations from fans, representatives of the Qatar World Cup organizing committee this week said: “There is no obligation to advertise or do anything.” Documents viewed by the New York Times, however, would prove otherwise.
The World Cup bid is not Qatar’s first attempt to fill stadiums with friendly fans. At the 2019 World Championships in Athletics in Doha, the capital of the emirate, guest workers and schoolchildren have already been recruited. (obf)