Forty England fans are set to be paid for travelling to Qatar as part of a “fan leader” programme run by the host country in which they will be expected to spread positive messages about the country.
The supporters, among a total of about 400 spread across participating nations, have committed to a code of conduct and must stay in Qatar for at least a fortnight.
In return they will receive free flights, accommodation, match tickets and £60 a day added to a Visa card to cover the cost of food and drink. They are due to fly to Doha on November 17.
The Football Association has had no role in the selection of supporters, which is being spearheaded by Qatar’s Supreme Committee. As first reported by The Times, four members of the divisive England band will be among the 40 supporters accepting the money of a country that has been severely criticised for its human rights record.
"The Qatar Supreme Committee approached the England Supporters Travel Club to run a registration process for fans to join the World Cup ‘Fan Leaders’ Forum," an FA spokesman said.
"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.
"Following the initial registration process, the project has been managed by the Qatar Supreme Committee, and 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."
Around 40 Wales supporters will also be part of the “fan leader” initiative. Again, the FA of Wales had no influence.
Supporters from France, Netherlands and the United States have also been invited to be part of the programme, with one report from Dutch broadcaster NOS quoting a supporter who claimed those who are part of the programme will effectively monitor the behaviour of compatriots.
The code of conduct signed by the fans said they must agree to promote third party content on their own social media channels and “not disparage” the host country.
“As the tournament nears, we have invited our most active fan leaders to personally nominate a small selection of fans to join us as our guests, as a manner of thanking them for their collaboration,” a spokesman for the Supreme Committee said.
More than 4,000 England fans are expected to attend England's group stage games, with around 3,000 Wales supporters. Due to a limited number of hotels, some will be based in Dubai and fly in on matchdays. Others are set to stay at campsites and on cruise ships.
Earlier this week chief constable Mark Roberts, who heads up football policing in England, said that officers will be sent to Doha to ensure no inadvertent provocation occurs.
“It’s a World Cup in a very different part of the world with a very different culture,” Roberts said. “One of my fears is that supporters not wishing to cause problems may act in a way that inadvertently causes offence or draws attention.
"Equally there may be perceptions on the part of either Qatari police or the supporting Turkish police where there’s this misapprehension of what supporters are doing.”
