David Beckham faces fresh criticism after backing Qatar during World Cup

07 October 2023 , 16:35

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David Beckham posing for a photo ahead of the Qatar World Cup (Image: FIFA via Getty Images)

Footie legend David Beckham has had fresh criticism for backing last year’s controversial World Cup host, Qatar.

The tournament ambassador has a reported £150million 10-year deal with the state, despite fears on its treatment of migrant workers and LGBTQ+ rights. Ex-England skipper Beckham has said: “Not one person came up to me and said, ‘I’ve been treated like this, I wasn’t allowed into this place’.”

And while promoting his new Netflix show this week he said he was “proud” of his role. Amnesty International’s Sacha Deshmukh said: “ David Beckham could have used his profile to shine a spotlight on human rights issues but instead he’s done little more than repeat platitudes about ‘sharing football around the world’.

Beckham at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar (PA)

“Whether or not anyone personally approached him in Qatar is not the point. You won’t hear it from David Beckham but the grim reality is last year’s World Cup was built on the suffering of migrant workers and it took place in a country where LGBTQ+ people can be jailed.”

Last month, Beckham said: “I do a lot of research into partners I’m going into business with. I like to see the game grow, that means it going into territories it has not been in before.” His representatives were contacted for comment.

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