David Beckham has received large-scale criticism for his continued work in the promotion of the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Beckham, 47, is an ambassador for the Arab nation going into the 2022 tournament. Qatar has been heavily criticised for its human rights record given its treatment of migrant workers, outlawing of homosexuality and repression of women's rights but Beckham's work has seen him continue to promote the competition.
Musicians Dua Lipa and Rod Stewart are two of the latest names to have revealed all about the sums of money offered for their services, with the latter suggesting he was offered £1million to perform at the tournament's opening ceremony on Sunday but turned it down.
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Beckham's work for the Gulf state has been met with widespread while fellow Manchester United teammate Gary Neville also caught in the crossfire recently for his choice to go and work at the World Cup.
Beckham has previously been viewed as an LGBT+ ally but has disappointed many in choosing to represent Qatar on the global stage.
Comedian Joe Lycett is one of those to have spoken up on the sadness he feels following Beckham's decision, stating earlier this week: “It’s 2022 and you have signed a £10million deal with Qatar to be their ambassador during the FIFA World Cup. Qatar… voted one of the worst places in the world to be gay, homosexuality is illegal, punishable by imprisonment and, if you are Muslim, possibly even death.”
Meanwhile Di Cunningham, who is the co-founder of the Three Lions Pride group, said she was disappointed in Beckham's decision to accept an ambassadorial deal given that Qatari law criminalises same-sex relationships.
Beckham is reported to be earning £150m from the deal and Cunningham told the Guardian: “I’m just so disappointed because we – the LGBTQ+ football family – have put David Beckham on a pedestal, as a great ally.
“And then it turns out that he’s taking a lot of money to be an ambassador for this World Cup, and that’s incredibly disappointing. So I really hope that the message has got through that people will be criticised for that.”
Many other former players including Xavi, Ronald de Boer, Cafu, Tim Cahill and Samuel Eto'o have also been dragged on board to help with the promotion of the tournament, partaking in traditional activities around Qatar in an attempt to show its goodwill and positive culture.
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