QATAR has been accused of paying hundreds of "fake fans" to parade for the cameras ahead of the World Cup.<br /><br />Footage has emerged of football "supporters" from across the globe filling the streets of the Qatari capital Doha - a week before the tournament kicks off.<br /><br />Qatar Living - dubbed the country’s first official community platform on TikTok - has been posting videos of "fans" from different countries gathered in their hundreds with flags, painted faces, and banners.<br /><br />It's not clear whether the fans are migrants workers who live in Qatar and have been partying early, or whether the parades have been staged by authorities.<br /><br />One clip shows a sea of supposed Brazil fans waving flags in Doha Corniche - the waterfront promenade in the city - and others show supporters from Portugal, Argentina, Ghana, Cameroon and Tunisia.<br /><br />Another post appears to show England fans chanting and playing the drums as they march through the streets holding a banner which says: "It's coming home."<br /><br />The behaviour of the supporters appears to be carefully curated and staged - and questions have been raised about the legitimacy of the fans.<br /><br />Some have accused of Qatar of orchestrating the parades using "fake" supporters - and questioned why fans have arrived in their masses more than a week before the World Cup starts.<br /><br />Others social media users claimed to have spotted the same "fans" in separate videos showing their support for different countries.<br /><br />Some also pointed out that there were no female supporters in the crowds.<br /><br />Supporters' groups have branded the move a "sinister, distasteful" marketing exercise that looks to whitewash the tiny kingdom's appalling human rights record.<br /><br />But Qatar is desperate to present a positive image of itself during the flagship tournament and has paid David Beckham millions to act as an ambassador for the hosts.
