David Beckham has met questions over his controversial 2022 FIFA World Cup ambassadorship with silence, when ITV News approached him as he made his first public appearance in Qatar. The former star footballer did not respond or visibly react to the question— instead smiling as he made his way to an event in Doha on Saturday afternoon. Here’s what you need to know.
Beckham has come under fire for accepting a reported multimillion-dollar deal to promote Qatar’s World Cup. Qatar has faced international criticism over its migrant labor human rights record and hardline anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
David Beckham Refuses To Say Anything About Qatar World Cup Controversy
Beckham, 47, appeared in an official video clip to promote Qatar ahead of the World Cup, in which he lavished praise on the hosting country. “Qatar really is an incredible place to spend a few days on a stopover,” the former England and Manchester United star says in the clip. “This is perfection. I cannot wait to bring my children back here.”
In the past, the prominent football star had publicly criticised the World Cup’s governing body, FIFA, for awarding hosting rights to countries with questionable human rights records. Back when he was a member of England’s bid team, Beckham condemned Russia and Qatar’s hosting bid wins – alleging in a 2011 interview that there must have been “corruption” at FIFA, which left him “feeling sick.”
Speaking last week following weeks of controversy, Beckham said the Qatar World Cup will be a “platform for progress.” In a pre-recorded video for the Supreme Committee’s “Generation Amazing” youth festival in Doha on Thursday, Beckham appeared to implicitly address widespread criticism.
In the clip, he adds: “Dreams can come true. That is why you are here. You share Generation Amazing’s twin passions for the game of football and for making the world a more tolerant and inclusive place.”
England captain Harry Kane is one of several captains who plan to participate in the ‘OneLove’ campaign during the tournament, in a public demonstration of opposition to discrimination.
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