Those in Qatar are not only the first World Cup hosted in an Arab country and not only the first with a very high rate of high technology, but – although they have not yet begun – they are already confirmed as the most contested World Cup in the history of football.
The shadows on human rights not respected and on the exploitation of workers for the construction of stadiums were not enough, costing - according to many reports - the lives of hundreds of workers, now suspicions are even appearing on the recruitment, by the organization, of fake paid fans to populate the streets of the emirate to show the world a festive atmosphere which, in reality, would be false.
In fact, videos have appeared on social networks showing colorful crowds of supporters of this or that other national team. For example England and Spain . It is a pity, however, that almost all the supporters portrayed in the images do not have the typical British or Iberian features at all, but rather Asian connotations, Indians in particular. And, as it happens, India and Bangladesh are the countries of origin of many of the immigrants who have arrived in the emirate in recent years to work on construction sites opened for the World Cup.
Open heavens: on social media, as said, the videos have given rise to accusations and inferences. A "viral" controversy - not the first and certainly not the last - which forced the organizers themselves to issue a statement to deny the accusations .
"Fans from around the world - many of whom have made Qatar their home - have recently added to the local atmosphere, organizing walks and parades and welcoming the various national teams upon arrival at their hotels," the statement read.
“Many journalists and commentators on social media questioned whether these were 'real' fans. We completely reject these claims, which are both disappointing and unsurprising ,” conclude the event organizers.
(Unioneonline/lf)