Report: Qatar collaborated with Putin for the 2022 World Cup and wanted to spy on him

Rumors have been circulating for some time, but now the “SonntagsBlick” reveals an explosive fact: Qatar, host of the current World Cup, and Russia, venue of the last edition in 2018, are working together to ensure that the football events awarded to their countries.

However, the Qataris did not trust the Russians, the newspaper writes. The Gulf state developed espionage plans to check whether the Russians are complying with the agreements. It also included a meeting in Switzerland: in December 2010, several high-ranking representatives of both countries met in Zurich – Russian President Vladimir Putin was also present.

According to the SonntagsBlick, the Qataris were aided in their espionage plans by a former CIA member. With its private security company, it organized the monitoring and spying on FIFA officials and journalists in their Zurich hotel rooms. However, it has not been proven that espionage against Putin personally took place. There is no evidence that the plans were carried out. The American security company of the ex-CIA agent also denies the allegations.

However, the question is whether he is completely innocent: according to the AP news agency, the American federal police FBI has been investigating the ex-agent for months because of his activities for Qatar.

The awarding of the FIFA World Cup, especially to Qatar, was highly controversial. Numerous rumors circulated that the decision was bought with a bribe. Qatar triumphed against the US, among others. (con)