Joe Lycett has urged David Beckham to walk away from his deal with Qatar
(Picture: Kate Green/Getty Images)Joe Lycett has challenged David Beckham to walk away from his role as ambassador for Qatar during the World Cup in protest over the country’s human-rights laws.
Lycett is one of a handful of celebrities speaking out against Qatar hosting the World Cup, alongside One Kiss singer Dua Lipa and Spice Girls star Melanie C.
In Qatar, it is illegal to be gay, and victims of sexual assault can be punished for extramarital sex.
Furthermore, the Guardian reported in 2021 that 6,500 migrant workers had died in Qatar since the country was awarded the right to host the World Cup.
Lycett, who is known for his political stunts, has urged Beckham to walk away from his reported £10 million deal in protest over Qatar’s laws.
Many celebrities, sports figures, and politicians have criticised Fifa for allowing Qatar to host the football tournament.
Joe Lycett
Joe Lycett has urged David Beckham to give up his role as ambassador to Qatar during the World Cup.
In a video posted to Twitter, Lycett tells the footballer that he considers him to be a gay icon. He says: “You were the first premiership footballer to do shoots with gay magazines like Attitude, to speak openly about your gay fans, and you married a Spice Girl, which is the gayest thing a human being can do.”
https://t.co/FqoC3hSFM8 🌈 pic.twitter.com/EPLVNwmnvV
— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) November 13, 2022
He then urges Beckham to walk away from his reported £10 million deal with the country. As a result, Lycett says he will donate £10,000 to charities that support queer people in football.
However, if Beckham continues working with Qatar, Lycett said he will throw the money in a shredder.
You married a Spice Girl, which is the gayest thing a human being can do
The comedian said: “However, if you do not, at midday next Sunday, I will throw this money into a shredder just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it live on a website I’ve registered called BendersLike Beckham.com.
“Not just the money, but also your status as a gay icon, will be shredded. You’ll be forcing me to commit a crime. Although, even then, I reckon I’ll get off more lightly than I would if I got caught whacking off a lad in Doha.
“The choice is yours. I look forward to hearing from you.”
His words come after gay footballer Josh Cavallo spoke out against Beckham at the Attitude awards.
Melanie C
Joe Lycett isn’t the only celebrity to question Beckham’s role in the World Cup.
The footballer’s wife’s bandmate, Melanie C, told the Not My Bagg podcast: “It’s difficult. David is a friend, and everybody has to make their own choices.
“I understand people want to talk about sport being able to change culture, but when there’s so much money involved, it’s tricky.”
Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa denied rumours that she’d be performing at the World Cup and hit out at the country’s human-rights record.
The Don’t Start Now singer said in a statement: “I will not be performing and nor have I ever been involved in any negotiations to perform. I will be cheering England on from afar.
“I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human-rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup.”
Rod Stewart
Singer Rod Stewart revealed he turned down around £845,000 to perform in Qatar in 2021.
Discussing the World Cup, Stewart said: “I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1 million, to play there 15 months ago.
“I turned it down. It’s not right to go. And the Iranians should be out, too, for supplying arms.”
Ian Hislop
Journalist Ian Hislop called out broadcaster Gary Neville for working as a commentator in Qatar during the World Cup.
On an episode of Have I Got News For You, Neville defended his decision to work in Qatar and said: “My view always has been, you either highlight the issues and challenges in these countries, and speak about them, or you basically don’t say anything and stay back home, and don’t go.
Hislop hit back and said: “There’s another option. You stay at home and highlight the abuses. You don’t have to go and take the Qataris’ money. It’s just not a very good defence.”
