Former soccer star David Beckham is facing a seemingly endless barrage of criticism for his new video promoting Qatar as “perfection,” despite the country’s atrocious record on LGBTQ+, women’s and worker’s rights.
In 2021, Beckham inked a deal to be the media-friendly face of the vehemently homophobic Gulf state ahead of this year’s World Cup. It was initially reported that the gig would net him £10 million ($18 million U.S.), though that’s been updated to a staggering £150 million ($174.3 million U.S.).
In the short promo, the self-described “gay icon” says “the modern and traditional fuse to create something really special” in Qatar. “This is perfection for me,” he says of his time there.
Qatar Tourism launches marketing campaign featuring #DavidBeckham#Qatar pic.twitter.com/eFmNMXMp90
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) August 27, 2022
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by imprisonment, flogging, or even the death penalty for Muslims under Sharia law. Sexual activity outside of marriage is punishable by up to seven years in jail, and cross-dressing or any speech considered offensive (including speaking in support of LGBTQ rights) is also against the law.
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Many are calling attention to the fact that Beckham is also an ambassador for humanitarian aid organization UNICEF.
“David Beckham, self-declared feminist +@UNICEF ambassador, kicks off multi-million pound campaign to bring tourists to Qatar, describing it as an ‘incredible place’…aside from it being illegal to be gay + women still need permission to study or marry,” tweeted Domestic abuse campaigner David Challen.
He added: “Women are dependent on men for permission to marry, travel, pursue higher education or make decisions about their own children. Qatari govt purposely make opaque rules on male guardianship as they don’t want women to know the rules…
“And lest we forget the 6,500 migrant workers who have died in Qatar since World Cup was awarded… They leave behind devastated families who have been left without their main breadwinner, struggling to gain compensation and confused about this they died…
“After Jake Daniels became the first male professional football player to come out since Justin Fashanu in 1990, Beckham asked why gay people in sport should be any different to anyone else. Yet he is now the face of an openly homophobic nation in Qatar…
“Sportswashing is inherently wrong. Those who promote nations with horrific human rights records actively silence those who are discriminated against, harmed and killed, all for more money. Why does @UNICEF continue to support David Beckham making millions from promoting Qatar??”
Here’s what others are saying:
It’s probably a great place to be….if your a multi millionaire, globally recognised figure…
Probably not so good if you are a Female or Gay person…
— Johnny Drummond (@ThatJohnnyD) August 31, 2022
Hope the money was worth it for Beckham…cringe pic.twitter.com/WDOrLUXGRQ
— Gareth Miskelly (@GMiskelly) August 31, 2022
This is shameful from Beckham tbh
— Arjun Sharad (@ohkevindebruyna) August 31, 2022
Just can’t get enough money David? Really doesn’t matter who you work for?
— Carrick Recruitment 🇺🇦 (@carrickrecruit) August 31, 2022
Amazing how people will drop all principles for a wad of cash #DavidBeckham
— Mark R (He/Him) (@makeyourm4rk) August 31, 2022
David Beckham, you’re a disgrace for this
— Mototwink112 (@mototwink112) August 31, 2022
Chaps sold his soul
— Paddy (@OddsOnFPL) August 31, 2022
Did you ask them where they buried the bodies, Becks?
— Steve C 🇾🇪🇯🇲 (@mancinexile) August 31, 2022
‘Modern and tradition create something special’, what, like persecuting LGBTQ people in state of the art buildings?
— 2 spoon Tony (@pecknahm) August 31, 2022
Diplomat
It’s criminal to be gay, a natural aspect of the human race. Grass growing is a crime also? Can we rid the human race of the pure psychotics? I’m so glad to see democrats flogging the Republicans. We’re going to take house majority enough to change laws. Watch out right wing psychos. You’re going down.
abfab
”………despite the country’s atrocious record on LGBTQ+, women’s and worker’s rights.” Sounds like the US of A.
GlobeTrotter
Brutal dictatorships have long ago discovered that for all our self-righteous sermonizing on human rights, gay rights, women rights, minority rights, sexual minority rights, etc., we here in the West worship one thing above all others: THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR. There’s nothing we enjoy more than to warmly lambaste some backwards third world country for their spotty human rights records, yet we have no qualms, NONE WHATSOEVER, to look the other way when said third world country showers us with millions to buy our silence. Countries like China and the Arab states of the Persian Gulf are the worst offenders, while sports stars and major conglomerates are the most hypocritical recipients of blood money. This will only change when we consumers stop supporting the companies and sport stars who allow their silence to be bought by these brutal dictators. But who’s willing to give up their NBA, their Nike, their Hollywood? Exactly! No one’s willing to give up on anything, and dictatorships know this. They’ve got us by the balls because all our holier-than-thou sacred rights mean absolutely nothing if we’re willing to put comfort and prosperity before our values.
white-queer-african
@GLOBEW-H-A-T-E-V-E-R!
You doing the early shift today? That is local time Moscow.
Max
well, seems he was a money whore all along
Joshooeerr
Was there some point at which we thought he wasn’t??!! I mean, he’s stripped off for Calvin Klein, attached his name to all manner of tacky products, and showed up for every branded event that will have him. Dave & the wife are right up there with the Kardcashians,
monty clift
Another a-hole celebrity who puts greed before integrity.
bachy
Which is bad enough. But the turd on the cupcake is that it’s a really stagy, unconvincing, lousy piece of PR.
Jim
So he’ll do anything for money.
He probably was a gay “ally” because he thought it would help his bottom line.
Covid Hermit
I love football/soccer, but I’m not paying any attention to the next World Cup because of the host nation and their vile stance on human/LGBTQ+ rights. Also the fact that they basically bought the right to host it, and it’s at the wrong time of the year (it’s supposed to be a summer tournament).
Anyone who says “well, yeah, they suck on LGBT issues but I don’t really care because $$ is more important” isn’t worthy of my admiration for any reason.
Cam
Another phony ally, taking money to throw us under the bus, Not surprising, Bekham never seemed that deep.
Vince
That’s what I was going to say Cam. I’ve never looked at him as anything but a self important entitled douchebag.
Saying the right words doesn’t mean shit unless you follow through on it. Boycotting places that shit on human rights would be a start.
Jack
Disgusting. I doubt that many people really look up to him as a player anymore. He’s old news on that front. But he damn sure can’t be a UNICEF Ambassador for Humanitarian Aid and do this BS. UNICEF needs to cut ties.
Gnarfield
Our society’s celebrity-obsession culture is truly toxic. Celebrities are not that interesting. Find better people to look up to.
Mr. Stadnick
He takes their money proving he and Boring Spice have never been anything other than money hungry.
Diplomat
I do think David needs to be taken out behind the Woodshed and well you know do to him whatever it is people do behind wood sheds….
johncp56
Yes shameless already rich, include the Golfers also creeps
KyleMichelSullivan
This hurts and makes me so very sad. I guess it shouldn’t be a shock; he seems somewhat insulated from the truth of the world…but still.
Didn’t you already have enough money, David? Have you fallen into that trap of selling your soul for a few bucks more? I was dumb enough to think you better than that. Stupid of me.
monty clift
Right. He’s already disgustingly wealthy, how much more money does he need.
Diplomat
Or maybe start a petition to make David pay half of his royalties from this project to the Trevor Project. Minimum 50%
barryaksarben
Im used to Middle East nations being horrible and western celebs sucking up to them or even presidential son in. laws. However, this particular nation and its outright MURDER of the people who were building the infrastructure for this (ahem) event is another thing entirely. Beckham should eb demanding they compensate all the families of the workers that died being overworked in that hellhole instead of loving the results
butchqueen
I’m totes not going to toss his salad any longer!
Just.my.opinion
He plays a game for a living. His opinion should mean absolutely nothing to absolutely everyone.
JTinToronto
How was Qatar awarded the World Cup in the first place? With their human rights issues? Oh! They bought it. Just like they bought David Beckham. Is everyone a whore?
scotty
the LIV golf people are. different country, same repressive system.
johncp56
$$$$$$ it is shameless what those already rich Golfers are excepting, I know this is not a good comparison so morally it is bad to make $$$ off of drugs dealing in US for extra $$$ but going to a country that kills gays and keeps women under there thumb that is OK because that have oil and$$$