Saudi Arabia: fans... paid to pretend!

In partnership with

Foot Africa

·24 September 2025

Saudi Arabia: fans... paid to pretend!

According to an investigation by the French outlet L’Équipe, the Saudi project NEOM has reportedly employed a surprising tactic to fill its stands: paying so-called supporters to create the illusion of passionate crowds. Based on testimonies collected by the newspaper, these “fans” receive their instructions via a WhatsApp group, are assigned an identification number, and earn around 11 euros per night spent at the stadium. Their mission is to sing, wave the club's colors, and celebrate goals as if they were genuine die-hard fans. Still according to L’Équipe, this approach is not unique to NEOM—other Saudi clubs facing low attendance have allegedly adopted similar practices.