Qatar Spends $1.5M to Promote World Cup

Tue., Jun. 19, 2018

By Kevin McCauley

Qatar has enlisted New York-based Lexington Strategies to build support in the US and Qatar for its hosting of the 2022 World Cup.

The firm received a $1.45M grant from Qatar for compensation, disbursements and operating expenses, according to its June 15 federal filing.

The work "expanded to include relationship-building with leadership in the Jewish community in the US to better international relations."

The campaign included "peaceful means of community engagement, charitable contributions and arranging meetings in the US and visits to Qatar."

Lexington's agreement is with Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikh Mohamad bin Hamad Al Thani, head of the Qatar Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.

Human Rights Watch has criticized Qatar for its treatment of migrant labor used to build the facilities needed to stage the World Cup.

Qatar is also under an economic and political blockade erected by its Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Category: International

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