Gianni Infantino SLAMS reports of ‘fake’ England fans in Qatar – calling accusations ‘pure racist’
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‘Can’t someone who looks Indian cheer for England?’: FIFA chief Gianni Infantino dismisses reports of ‘fake’ fans at World Cup… labeling claims Qatar using paid actors as ‘pure racist’
Gianni Infantino has received reports of ‘fake’ football fans appearing in videos in Qatar ahead of the World Cup.
The controversy arose after a number of videos were posted online featuring Indian expats expressing their support for Gareth Southgate’s side in the upcoming tournament.
A specific video of fans doing a rendition of David Baddiel, Frank Skinner and The Lightning Seeds’ 1996 classic “Three Lions” went viral online, with some commenters claiming that the fans were in fact paid actors.
Gianni Infantino denounced allegations that Indian football supporters were paid actors
FIFA president called allegations fans were paid to show support ‘pure racist’
In a speech ahead of the tournament opener between the hosts and Ecuador on Sunday, Infantino condemned the allegations, calling them “racist.”
“I read that these people don’t look English, so they can’t cheer for England, they look like Indians. What is that? Can someone who looks Indian not cheer for England, Spain or Germany?
‘You know what it is? It’s racist, pure racist.’
The fans gathered to show their support for Gareth Southgate’s side when they arrived in Qatar
The allegations were also denied in a Supreme Committee statement, which called the reports of fake fans “disappointing and unsurprising.”
“Fans from all over the world – many of whom have made Qatar their home – have recently added to the local atmosphere by organizing fan walks and parades across the country and welcoming the various national teams to their hotels.”
Countless journalists and social media commentators have questioned whether these are “real” fans. We strongly reject these claims, which are both disappointing and unsurprising.”