Will Young penned a fierce open letter to David Beckham over his controversial £10million deal to act as an ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar.
The former England captain is among many celebrities facing backlash for promoting Qatar during the World Cup. The singer urged Beckham to donate to LGBTQ+ charities and called his reported £10m deal “odious”.
The 2022 tournament kicked off on 20 November in Gulf state, where homosexuality is illegal and anyone found participating in same-sex sexual activity can be punished with up to seven years in prison. The Pop Idol winner slammed the former Manchester United star for being silent about the backlash and not speaking out for the LGBTQ+ community.
"Qatar is of course not the only country in the world with appalling records on human rights. The argument that sport is not political is duplicitous and two faced. Look at South Africa during apartheid, look at Russia now. Who decides the yays and the nays?," he began.
"What is undoubtedly clear however is a star like you @davidbeckham who I once sang for (not for any money I hasten to add) at your birthday has disappointed me more than I can say.
"Our paths crossed a fair few times due to being with 19 Management and you were always friendly and generous. People do things for money, we all know that. Here is what irks me the most - not a WHISPER from yourself David to show solidarity, not a WHISPER from yourself to show support for the practical massacre of migrant workers, not a WHISPER David to help LGBTQIA+ communities living under constant danger."
He continued that David's decision to take the "alleged £150 million over 15 years is greedy enough" and "the burying of your head in the sand from you, your team and your advisers is repellent and cowardice personified".
"So here is what I suggest if you won’t change your mind: give £1 million to LGBTQIA+ charities in Qatar every year that you get your £10 million a year," Will wrote as he provided a possible arrangement.
"Can something be salvaged from this odious deal? Perhaps those funds can help provide much needed safety to those living in terror whilst your posters smile down on the people of Qatar."
His post has received thousands of likes, with Joe Lycett also sharing his support. David has been criticised by Joe, who fake 'shredded' £10,000 after telling the footballer to pull out of his mega-money sponsorship deal with Qatar.
After the stunt, the comedian admitted: "The truth is the money that went into the shredder was real, but the money that came out was fake. I would never destroy money. I would never be so irresponsible.
"In fact, the ten grand had already been donated to LGBTQ+ charities before I even pressed send on the initial Tweet last week. I never expected to hear from you. It was an empty threat designed to get people talking. In many ways it was like your deal with Qatar David, total bulls**t from the start. I'm not even queer, only joking."
The comedian then pulled out of a copy of Beckham’s 2002 Attitude cover, which was the first ever cover of a gay magazine with a Premier League footballer on it. Lycett shredded the cover, clarifying that he’d asked Attitude for permission and they were “more than happy to oblige”.
Numerous celebrities, such as Dua Lipa, Rod Stewart and Shakira, refused to perform at this year’s tournament to show their support against the human rights abuses in Qatar.
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