Adam Collard has had his say on celebrities and pundits making money from this year's World Cup in Qatar - slamming those making profits from the tournament itself.
The coveted competition has been swathed with controversy, due to the Middle Eastern country's stance on human rights - clamping down on LGBT+ supporters wearing rainbow-related gear amid strict anti-homosexuality laws.
Elsewhere, further heads were turned after England captain Harry Kane ditched the iconic One Love armband in a Group B opener against Iran, on Monday, after being threatened by FIFA with penalties such as yellow cards.
Read more: Love Island’s Adam Collard attacked by mob on Newcastle night out with Paige Thorne
The country has also been slammed overall for health and safety standards, with hundreds of workers said to have passed away while building the new stadiums which games are being held in. Now, speaking exclusively to The Mirror, 26-year-old Adam has revealed that he was invited to attend the cup in Qatar, turning down the invitation full-heartedly.
In the interview, he said: "I normally watch as many games as I can when it comes to the World Cup so I was ecstatic when I got invited by a big brand to go out to Qatar and watch a couple games. One of the games is Wales v England and the other was Australia v Denmark.
"At first I couldn’t believe my luck but, to be honest, I couldn’t accept the trip so I won’t be going. My mates have said: 'Why don’t you just go over and wear a rainbow shirt and make a statement when there'.
"But I don’t think it’s right to go to another country and tell them how they should be treating people, no matter how much I disagree with what they do. I’d just rather not be there at all."
And while Adam has taken a stand by turning down his own personal invitation, many other celebrities and pundits have took to the Middle East - in a move he has branded questionable. He added: "I’m still hoping England will go as far as we can but I wouldn’t feel right going to Qatar and supporting the World Cup when I don’t agree with what’s going on over there and the lives lost to build the stadiums.
"If people wanna go out and watch the World Cup that’s up to them. But I think it’s really ridiculous of some of the pundits and famous faces going over there and making money off it but then saying how bad it is and how they stand against the Qataris.
"Why bother going in the first place? Just stay at home and present from here if you feel that strongly about it."
And the ex-Love Island star isn't alone in his opinion, with comic Joe Lycett shredding '£10,000' from his own back pocket after David Beckham rocked up as an ambassador. Joe begged Beckham to change his mind, but after his request landed on deaf ears, the stand-up man Twitch streamed himself wearing a rainbow-layered outfit - placing wads of what appeared to be cash into an industrial shredder.
While fans initially slammed Lycett for cruelly wasting cash amid a cost of living crisis, he later confirmed (November 20) that he hadn't shredded real cash - instead donating the sum to LGBT+ charities.
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