A group of 40 England fans will be paid to attend the upcoming World Cup in Qatar and deliver positive PR for the gulf state.
The tournament is scheduled to get underway later this month but it will do so amid a backdrop of controversy over Qatar’s human rights record and the circumstances around the way in which it won the right to stage the event.
Amid a growing backlash, The Times reports that as many as 40 Three Lions supporters will jet out on November 17, free of charge.
Once in situ, fans will be expected to sing certain songs during matches and report critical coverage on social media in return for free accommodation as well as a spending limit of £60-a-day.
Another 40 supporters from Wales have also signed up to the ‘Fan Leader Programme’, along with fans from the 30 other competing countries.
One document sent to fan leaders provides details of the obligations attendees are expected to meet during the opening ceremony which takes place on November 20.
It reads: ‘In celebration of the fans around the world, over the period of five minutes, fan chants from each nation will be played and you will be expected to stand up, sing the song/chant, wave your flags and represent your country.
‘The camera will focus on each national fan group in turn. We will share with you the chant/song selected from your country to ensure you are familiar with it.’ In bold red letters it adds: ‘Be ready in your shirt, flags and scarves to cheer and shout.’
The Football Association insists it was only informed about the requirements of the scheme from international media reports and has not officially endorsed the ‘Fan Leader Programme’.
‘We were told this was an opportunity to engage with fans from all competing nations to ensure that the voice of supporters was clearly heard in the planning for the World Cup and that many international football associations were being approached,’ a statement from the governing body read.
‘We have had no more involvement with the scheme, and no sight of the ‘code of conduct’ or any of the terms and conditions of involvement.’
FIFA, meanwhile, have written to World Cup teams urging them to focus on the football in Qatar and not let the sport be dragged into ideological or political ‘battles’.
The letter from FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the governing body’s secretary general Fatma Samoura follows a number of protests made by World Cup teams, on issues ranging from LGBTIQ rights to concerns over the treatment of migrant workers.
‘Please, let’s now focus on the football!” Sky News quoted Infantino and Samoura as saying in the letter to the 32 nations contesting the World Cup.
‘We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.
‘But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.’
MORE : England’s Beth Mead won’t back Qatar World Cup over LGBTQ+ ban
MORE : Former Chelsea striker Timo Werner to miss World Cup with ankle injury
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