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England and Wales fans are being offered all-expenses-paid trips to Qatar if they agree to be ‘ambassadors’ for the FIFA World Cup, according to reports.
Qatari officials are offering the opportunity through their ‘Fan Leader Network’, which they say “contributes to tournament planning through fan insight, research, content creation and message amplification”.
Some 40 England and 40 Wales fans have signed up to the deal, The Times reports.
The scheme requires them to spend a minimum of 14 days in the Gulf nation during the tournament, but “ideally” those who sign up would spend the entire 29 days there.
In line with terms, ambassadors must attend “selected and scheduled events”, which include the opening ceremony on 20 November, where they may be asked to appear in short fan video clips.
They will operate almost like social media influencers, as they will be encouraged to like and share third party posts, as well as flagging content that is critical of the tournament.
But in return they will get free tickets to matches, accommodation and flights paid for.
According to Dutch broadcaster NOS, who originally uncovered the scheme, supporters from all 32 competing nations are expected to take part.
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Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp weighs in on World Cup debate
FIFA boss urges ‘let’s focus on the football’
It comes after Sky News exclusively revealed the contents of a letter sent by FIFA president Gianni Infantino to the teams ahead of the tournament.
Amid criticism around the host nation’s record on human and LGBTQ rights, Mr Infantino and FIFA’s secretary general Fatma Samoura tried to galvanise support from players.
They wrote: “Please, let’s now focus on the football!
“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.”
The letter failed to address questions over Qatar’s human rights record, Ukrainian calls for Iran to be banned for supplying Russia with drones, and whether England and Wales can wear their ‘One Love’ LGBTQ armbands as planned.
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