World Cup host Qatar used former CIA officer to spy on Fifa

An AP investigation found that Qatar hired Kevin Chalker, a private contractor, to spy on rival bid teams and key football officials.

(PA)

By Alan Suderman, Associated Press

Qatar has for years employed a former CIA officer to help spy on football officials as part of a no-expense-spared effort to win and hold on to the 2022 World Cup tournament, an investigation by The Associated Press has found.

The AP’s investigation found that Qatar sought an edge in securing hosting rights by hiring a former CIA officer turned private contractor, Kevin Chalker, to spy on rival bid teams and key football officials who picked the winner in 2010.