Iranian Football “Supporters” Sent To Qatar Earn up to $100 Daily

The members of the paramilitary forces deployed by the Islamic Republic of Iran to Qatar to “support” the Iranian football team during the ongoing Asian Cup football tournament receive daily salaries of up to $100, IranWire has learned. 

It was earlier reported that the Basij and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in collaboration with the Iranian football federation, planned to dispatch over 300 of their members to Doha for the tournament. 

A source within the football federation, who preferred to remain anonymous, told IranWire that the IRGC are paying the women “supporters” $30 a day, while men receive $50 and team leaders $100.

Expenses such as round-trip flights, accommodation and meals are paid separately.

Evidence indicates that, in addition to supporting the national team, the Basij and IRGC members are promoting the government ideology, voicing support for Palestinians, ostensibly showing women in headscarves and performing congregational prayers outside the stadiums.

Early this month, a source told IranWire that the Iranian football federation’s Secretary-General Hedayat Membini had told travel agency managers that more than 300 paramilitary members, including 50 women, would be among the “supporters” in Doha.

Membini said they would be dispatched to the training fields to "boost player morale and be in the presence of international photographers." 

Their mission would also include visits to shopping and entertainment centers, he said.

Considering an average daily salary of $50 per participant, the cost of the 20-day mission will exceed $300,000.

According to IranWire's findings, the government spent more than $2,360,000 to send 350 government social media operatives and Basij forces in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.