Qatar govt is giving FIFA World Cup 2022 tickets for free... but in exchange for your soul
Qatar government is giving out free tickets to FIFA World Cup. But there's a catch. Photo: @roadto2022en/Twitter
Qatar is hosting this year's FIFA World Cup and it's a big deal. The spectacle has become more foreign policy news that sports news. Now, reports say Doha administrators are trying to stack up the stadium with pro-government football fans. How are they doing this? By bribing the fans.
What's happening? According to reports, the Qatar government is reaching out to famous football fan clubs of various participating nations and offering them free tickets to the tournament, including travel, accommodation, food, and a few other expenses completely paid for.
Isn't it a dream come true for ardent football fans? You won't have to spend a penny and still have the most luxurious experience of your favourite game. But why would Doha extend such hospitality?
There's a catch. It's always about give and take. Those who accept the invitations have to become cheerleaders for the Qatar government, literally and figuratively.
A scheme by World Cup organisers to recruit fans to act as cheerleaders for Qatar as well as their nations, has brought jeers from some supporters. Fans who accept will receive free hotel rooms, match tickets and a daily allowance.
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) November 5, 2022
➡️ https://t.co/Wd0KJ4UBEl pic.twitter.com/lMUkOVwLGF
What are the terms and conditions? Apparently, fans who accept the invitation have to sing what they are told, speak what they are asked to and perform in a manner that endorses the Qatari government.
- They CANNOT criticise the government whatsoever.
- And they will also be expected to report online comments crticising the government, even take screenshots and send them to Qatari tournament organisers.
- The fans are obliged to stay for the opening ceremony, but reports say they will stay a lot longer.
How are football fans reacting to the hard-to-refuse offer? According to reports Qatar has already managed to rope in 450 football fans from around the world belonging to various fan clubs to become their cheerleaders.
But there are also several fans who refused to take up the offer.
What is the Qatar government saying? The organising committee has called the reports "absolutely false".
Why would the Qatar government do something like this? Well, there's a lot riding on Doha rulers in this FIFA World Cup.
- Qatar has been accused of buying FIFA executives to hold the tournament in their country.
- Doha has been accused of using the high-profile international event to elevate its global profile, while it continues to allow human rights abuses on its soil.
- There are also reports that Qatar evicted several migrant workers living near the venue of the World Cup to make space for tourist accommodation, leaving the workers to live on the streets.
- There is also a concern that the audiences won't be as happening as in the usual World Cup tournaments.
And hence, Qatar wants to stack the stadiums with its government cheerleading audience.