FBI probe former CIA agent Qatar used to spy on 2022 bid rivals

October 28 – Next month’s World Cup in Qatar has been rocked by further allegations of underhand methods used to win the vote to stage the event 12 years ago.

According to The Associated Press, a former CIA officer who allegedly spied on Qatar’s rivals is now under FBI scrutiny.

Newly obtained documents are said to show Kevin Chalker offered clandestine services that went beyond football in order to try to influence US policy.

Chalker’s goal, according to AP, was to polish Qatar’s image among American decision makers while undermining critics who accused the country of financing terrorists and other wrongdoing.

Chalker’s lawyer, Kevin Carroll, was quoted as saying in response that Chalker’s company, Global Risk Advisors, had never engaged in any unlawful activity and was unaware of any federal investigation.

The FBI said it could neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation.

Ever since upsetting the odds in 2010 to win the ballot to stage the event, Qatar has been tainted by allegations of corruption amid claims that votes were bought. In 2015 the US Justice Department brought more than 40 indictments against FIFA officials, including a string of indictments against FIFA executive committee members who voted for Qatar tohost 2022.

The Gulf state has always denied any wrongdoing and was officially cleared by FIFA in 2014, ruling out a re-vote. But suspicions remain – and will do so long after next month’s finals.

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