Qatar reveals to have launched a large-scale and long-standing operation against FIFA officials via ex-CIA operatives. With Switzerland serving as a key operator, the highest circles of the Qatari government were as well involved in the espionage operation that was working in secret.
With the intelligence agents involved planned on swaying the world events in the operation and hackers stealing controversial information and data, the operation was in fact funded by an anonymous client with hundreds of millions of dollars.
The issue came to light when an investigation by Swiss media SRF’s investigative team ‘SRF Investigativ’ shared details of how the state of Qatar had officials of the world football spied on. Additionally, the investigations showed how the non-FIFA critics of the upcoming World Cup were targeted as well.
According to the English- version of the report by Tariq Panja from The York Times, The SRF News revealed that Qatar hired an ex-CIA operative Kevin Chalker’s “Global Risk Advisors” firm for “predictive intelligence” on FIFA officials who would attempt on moving the World Cup from the country, via their predictive intelligence efforts allegedly involving computer hacking through intermediaries.
The ultimate goal of the said efforts is to prevent Qatar from losing the World Cup bid, following the massive criticism that was raised when FIFA awarded the tournament to the authoritarian country in 2010.
The scope of the covert activities remains considerable, since at least 66 operators were expected to be deployed over the course of one sub-operation alone for over nine years. Moreover, a budget of $387 million was allocated for the operation, with the activities spanning five continents.
The SRF investigations dig the credentials against the ex-CIA agent Chalker. The investigation deduces that initially, before the World Cup awarding in December 2010, Chalker apparently served as an espionage operator for various bids. But as the criticism raised regarding corruption and human rights violation after the 2010 World Cup was awarded, the target was eventually changed. Now, the goal shifted to preventing FIFA, from taking the World Cup from Qatar, at all costs.
The investigation showed that Switzerland was the most prominent factor to Qatari intelligence operation. Since, Chalker travelled to Zurich at the demand of Qatar with the intention of bugging the hotel rooms of journalists and members of the Executive Committee.
One of the documents revived, included photos taken covertly as a part of surveillance operation. These photographs were reportedly taken at Zurich’s plush Baur au Lac hotel, and showed individuals connected to FIFA meeting with officials and journalists.
Apparently, FIFA mostly remined oblivious to the spy operation. Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s former President, commented in an interview with SRF, “That there was an organized espionage affair in FIFA, that surprised me. And it's alarming.” Although, several documents indicate that Blatter was of great interest to the spies. The documents mention, for instance, that Blatter’s “plans and intentions” ought to be known in advances.
Besides, Chalker and Global Risk Advisors are currently dealing with a civil lawsuit, in regard to connection to similar alleged activities. The lawsuit was filed by former US president Donald Trump ally Elliot Broidy. Broidy accused Chalker and his company of a hacking attack on behalf of Qatar, after Broidy’s personal data was leaked to newspapers in 2018. Although, Chalker denies all allegations. The lawsuit is still pending.
