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SPORTS Wednesday 2 november 2022
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Qatar gives fans paid trips to sing at World Cup ceremony

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP said, as a way of "thanking
Sports Writer them for their collabora-
GENEVA (AP) — Up to 1,600 tion." The Qataris claim that
fans of the teams that qual- the influencers are "leaders
ified for this year's World within their communities."
Cup are being recruited for But the Football Supporters
an all expenses-paid trip to Europe group, which is rec-
Qatar to sing in the open- ognized by UEFA to consult
ing ceremony and stay for on fan issues, disputed that
at least two weeks promot- assertion.
ing positive social media "What is very clear is that
content about the soccer they are not fan represen-
tournament and the host tatives. They are employ-
nation. ees or volunteers of the
Fans from each of the 32 World Cup and should be
teams are needed for a considered as such," FSE
five-minute, fan-themed executive director Ronan
section of the ceremony Evain told the AP.
before Qatar plays Ecua- About 1.2 million interna-
dor in the opening match tional visitors are expected
on Nov. 20. They will perform in Qatar for the month-long
a chant or song specific to tournament, which has
each country, chosen by faced criticism and skepti-
the organizers, according People gather around the official countdown clock showing remaining time until the kick-off of cism ever since the gas-rich
to documents seen by The the World Cup 2022, in Doha, Qatar, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. Qatar will host the 2022 FIFA World emirate was picked by FIFA
Associated Press. Cup but soccer isn't the only sport played in the Gulf Arab country. From traditional pursuits to in December 2010.
The program has excluded worldwide competitions, Qatar increasingly has marketed itself as a host for sports of all sorts. Qatar was among nine
"persons with obvious politi- Associated Press candidates to host the 2018
cal affiliation" and aims to thousands of dollars to stay by Qatari organizers and sible, take screenshots. or 2022 World Cup. The pro-
recruit 30 to 50 supporters until at least Dec. 4, or for support the World Cup "by In a statement, Qatari or- cess later underwent a FI-
from each team who were the entire tournament if 'liking' and re-sharing third ganizers said they had con- FA-appointed investigation
able to show "their status they choose, plus a daily al- party posts." sulted with a "Fan Leader into the integrity of bidding
as a purist fan," the docu- lowance of 250 Qatari riyals The fan leaders have been Network" of more than 450 campaigns.
ments state. ($68). told "we are not asking you people in 59 countries to The FIFA ethics committee,
"The camera will focus on The opening ceremony to (be) a mouthpiece for help improve the World which had limited powers
each national fan group project is an extension of a Qatar," but "it would obvi- Cup for visitors. to gather evidence, said
in turn," the recruits have longer-term plan by World ously not be appropriate "As the tournament nears, in a 2014 report published
been told about the show Cup organizers to choose for you to disparage" the we have invited our most in full three years later that
at Al Bayt Stadium north "Fan Leaders" in each coun- country or the tournament. active fan leaders to per- there was widespread mis-
of Doha. "Be ready in your try who are asked to be so- The influencers have also sonally nominate a small conduct among the bid-
shirt, flags and scarves to cial media influencers using had to agree to "report any selection of fans to join us ders but it had not swayed
cheer and shout." the hashtag "IAMAFAN." offensive, degrading or as our guests to participate the hosting votes. Russia
The fans are being offered Those key fans are asked to abusive comments" on so- in the opening ceremony," was awarded the 2018
economy-class flights and "incorporate, where appro- cial media to the organiz- the Qatari Supreme Com- World Cup and Qatar got
use of apartments worth priate" content provided ing committee and, if pos- mittee for Delivery & Legacy the 2022 edition.q

Fans in 'Fight Antisemitism' shirts

courtside at Nets game

By DENIS P. GORMAN Asso- to do so on Saturday, then Nets coach Steve Nash
ciated Press deleted the tweet Sunday said Monday that he looks
NEW YORK (AP) — Fans after a massive outcry in- at the matter as "an op-
wearing "Fight Antisemitism" cluding criticism from Nets portunity for us to grow and
shirts occupied some court- owner Joe Tsai and the the understand new perspec-
side seats at the Brooklyn- Anti-Defamation League, tives."
Indiana game on Monday along with a statement "I think the organization is
night, days after Nets guard from the NBA denouncing trying to take that stance
Kyrie Irving tweeted out a all forms of hate speech. or they may communi-
link to a film that includes Irving said Saturday he em- cate through this, and try
anti-Jewish tropes. braced all religions and de- to all come out in a bet- Fans with matching shirts look on as Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie
Irving posted the link to the fiantly defended his right to ter position and with more Irving (11) walks by during the first half of an NBA basketball
film "Hebrews to Negroes: post whatever he believes. understanding and more game against the Indiana Pacers, Monday, Oct. 31, 2022, in
Wake Up Black America" "I'm not going to stand empathy for every side of New York. Associated Press
on Twitter on Thursday. The down on anything I believe this debate and situation," theorist Alex Jones, and ed in New York City.
synopsis on Amazon said in," Irving said. Nash said. was unavailable for most of The Nets then declined to
the film "uncovers the true "I'm only going to get stron- Irving has previously sup- the Nets' home games last give him a contract exten-
identity of the Children of ger because I'm not alone. I ported the idea of the Earth season because he refused sion this summer, meaning
Israel." have a whole army around being flat, recently shared to be vaccinated against Irving could be in his final
He defended his decision me." an old clip from conspiracy COVID-19, as was mandat- season with the team.q