Host Qatar buys fans: Free World Cup travel package – on one condition
Created: 2022-11-02 09:19
By: Antonio Jose Riether
World Cup hosts Qatar invest in PR and pay foreign fans all the way to the tournament.
However, they have to follow a code locally.
Doha – In two and a half weeks, the soccer World Cup will open in the highly controversial host country Qatar.
Around three million tickets have already been sold, and around 35,000 tickets have so far gone to supporters from Germany.
Qatar is also giving away travel packages to foreign fans, as a report from the Netherlands reveals.
In return, they should ensure that Emirat is seen as a good host during their stay.
World Cup 2022 in Qatar: Host pays fans for the trip - under one condition
As the Dutch public medium
NOS
writes, Qatar "bought" 50 fans of the Dutch national team.
According to the report, the host takes care of both the flights and the accommodation.
However, the prerequisite for the free trip is compliance with a code of conduct throughout the tournament.
The Netherlands will play their first group game at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha.
© MB Media Solutions/imago-images
World Cup 2022: Qatar invites Dutch fans - for good PR in return
In return for the free World Cup trip, supporters pledge to make a “positive contribution” to the tournament on social media platforms.
They are also encouraged to report critical and offensive comments from other users.
Thus, the 50 Dutch give up their right to freedom of expression.
It also states that posts on social media can also be removed if they do not meet the requirements.
In the event of a breach of the agreement, the state of Qatar could cancel the trip for the fan "influencers", but the fans would then have to pay for the return flight and expenses themselves.
World Cup 2022: Qatar "buys" Dutch fans - they justify their decision
Across from
NOS
spoke to Leon van der Wilk, who is coordinating the fans' journey.
“During the opening ceremony, the camera will zoom in on our group dressed in orange.
In addition, we will regularly show up in our shirts and take part in the Fan World Cup," said the Dutchman about the travel conditions.
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Most of the fans who spoke to
NOS
justify their decision to travel to Qatar because the team is also in the tournament.
Another supporter, who is not named, explains why he agreed to the agreement with the emirate.
"The accommodations are just too expensive, we as normal fans can't afford that," he says.
Despite his critical views of the host, he has no moral concerns and says: "If you start thinking like that, you have nowhere to go." (ajr)
