Most of the fans were from KeralaDismissed allegations of ‘paid fans’Football number one sport in Kerala
WHAT HAPPENED? CEO of the 2022 World Cup, Nasser Al Khater, has responded to allegations that “paid fans” were organising fan rallies in Doha ahead of the World Cup. He dismissed the claims and suggested that a majority of those fans turned up from Kerala, a state in South India, who are known to be very passionate about football.
WHAT THEY SAID? Speaking to media, Nasser Al Khater said, “They are mostly from the Indian community (in Qatar) and those from the south of India especially. I know that in Kerala, football is the number sport. Everyone thinks that cricket is the number one sport but football actually is the number one sport there.
“We have a lot of genuine supporters in Qatar who are from the south of India. They love football and they are genuine fans. We know that they have tournaments that are professionally organised. They have sponsorships, they have a lot of support behind them, organised on a weekly basis and they are true fans of football.”
STORY IN TWO PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT FOR QATAR? Hosts Qatar will make their first-ever World Cup appearance against Ecuador in the tournament curtain-raiser on November 20.
Serena Williams' former coach Rick Macci has opened up on Novak Djokovic’s chances of winning… अधिक पढ़ें
Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol said the team’s 2-1 win against Real Madrid is a… अधिक पढ़ें
Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes the second T20I against South Africa is going… अधिक पढ़ें
Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa has expressed surprise after head coach Gautam Gambhir didn’t give… अधिक पढ़ें
Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra believes Rajasthan Royals will need to strengthen their batting… अधिक पढ़ें
Former South African captain AB de Villiers has supported Gautam Gambhir’s batting order statement in… अधिक पढ़ें