Openly gay singer Will Young has criticised David Beckham for his partnership with Qatar and the 2022 World Cup.
On 20 November, teams from around the world assembled in the Gulf region to participate in the FIFA-backed tournament.
However in the years leading up to the competition, activists, football fans and industry professionals have slammed the sporting event and anyone involved with it due to Qatar’s human rights record.
Over the last few weeks, Beckham has garnered criticism for signing a £10 million ambassador deal for the World Cup – due to his past support of the LGBTQ+ community.
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and can be punished by penalties including flogging, imprisonment and even execution.
While most of the criticism has come from fans, LGBTQ+ organisations and political figures, some of Beckham’s industry peers have also been vocal about his partnership – including Pop Idol star Young.
On 23 November, the Leave Right Now singer took to Instagram to share his disappointment in the former midfielder in a lengthy statement.
“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,” he wrote.
“Look at South Africa during apartheid, look at Russia now. Who decides the yays and the nays? What is undoubtedly clear however is a star like you, David Beckham, who I once sang for (not for any money I hasten to add) at your birthday, has disappointed me more than I can say.”
Young went on to call out the athlete for not issuing any statements regarding the country’s human rights issues before suggesting he donate to Qatar-based LGBTQ+ charities to make up for it.
“The decision to take the alleged £150 million over 15 years is greedy enough, the burying of your head in the sand from you, your team and your advisers is repellent and cowardice personified,” he said.
“So here is what I suggest if you won’t change your mind: £1 million to LGBTQIA+ charities in Qatar every year that you get your £10 million a year.
“Perhaps those funds can help provide much-needed safety to those living terror whilst your posters smile down on the people of Qatar.”
Young’s post comes a couple of weeks after Joe Lycett called for Beckham to end his Qatar partnership with his website campaign ‘benderslikebeckham.com.’
The comedian also said that if the former footballer ended his deal, he would donate £10,000 to LGBTQ+ charities. However if he didn’t, he would shred the aforementioned amount.
Due to Beckham’s lack of public response, Lycett followed through with his claim and shredded £10,000 during a live stream.
Read Young’s full statement here or below.
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