The oil-rich nation has even been linked to Libyan militants who may have helped the Manchester bomber

As charm offensives go, the Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad’s attempt to portray his country as a suitable venue for hosting the 2022 football World Cup has not got off to the most propitious start.

Within days of meeting Theresa May at Downing Street, Qatar found itself facing more allegations of wrongdoing relating to Fifa’s controversial decision to award Doha the games in the face of stiff opposition from the U.S. and Australia.

Far from playing by the strict rules Fifa is supposed to apply to the bidding process, including the stipulation that countries must refrain from undermining rival bids, a whistleblower involved in the Qatari campaign has accused Doha of sabotaging the rival bids of the US and Australia with a well-orchestrated “black ops” programme organised by a leading public relations firm.

The accusations published in The Sunday Times, which the Qataris have denied, are sure to reopen the fierce debate over Fifa’s decision. They may even result in the tournament being given to a more suitable host nation, with England being mentioned as a strong possibility. Nor is Qatar’s discomfiture confined solely to the world of sport.