"World Cup 2022: Qatar paying fans to attend and promote matches, as well as report negative comments", 3 Nov 2022

Qatar reportedly paid for fans across the world to attend the 2022 World Cup this month, according to The New York Times.

Fans will reportedly be treated to what sounds like an all-expenses trip that will include free airfare, free match tickets and free lodging. However, Qatar also reportedly asked those fans to sign contracts that required them to sing chants, post positive accounts on social media and report posts critical of Qatar...

The Associated Press also reported that up to 1,600 fans with representatives from all 32 qualifying teams were recruited for this program, and part of their agreement includes a song at the opening ceremony...

The Times reported that the committee did ask national federations around the world to be put in contact with top fan groups for their respective countries. But it sounds as though the way in which Qatar asked was vague at its best and duplicitous at its worst...