David Beckham shown red card from fans over startling ignorance about LGBTQ+ rights overseas, calling one of the most dangerous places in the world for queer folk ‘perfection’.
Supposed LGBTQ+ ally David Beckham has been getting heat this week, for all the wrong reasons.
Football governing body FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) has been heavily condemned since announcing that the 2022 World Cup would be held in Qatar, where homosexuality is still criminalised and same-sex marriages are not recognised by the government.
Currently in Qatar, same sex intercourse is punishable by flogging, stoning to death or up to seven years in prison and appeals to suspend these laws during the World Cup were thrown out.
Enter David Beckham, who last year was appointed ‘the face’ of Qatar’s World Cup, as part of a mega-money deal (reportedly worth £150 million), which naturally sparked controversy due to the ex-footballer’s public image and fanbase being typically very LGBT+ (he’s married to a Spice Girl ffs).
This week a new 30-minute promotional video dropped, which featured Beckham exploring the sights and sounds of Qatar.
In the clip, the ‘gay icon’ can be seen aboard a sailing boat and visiting a spice market, among other cute, touristy things.
“Qatar really is an incredible place to spend a few days on a stopover,” the former England footballer says to camera.
“This is perfection. I cannot wait to bring my children back here.”
Neither Beckham, nor his wife, Victoria ‘Posh Spice’ Beckham – who releases annual Pride t-shirts – commented publicly following the initial backlash, presumably hoping it would all blow over… although it is also perfectly possible they were busy counting the money.
The new video does seem to have reignited fresh fury over his involvement though, as you can see below.
“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”, said one Twitter user, who pointed out that Beckham is also a UNICEF ambassador.
Beckham isn’t the only Spice Girls-related political controversy to have, regrettably, graced our pages in recent months, click here to see what Geri Halliwell has been up to.
Watch the video from Visit Qatar below and see some fuming Twitter reactions beneath it.
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.https://t.co/n0vsDCZnRp
— David Challen (@David_Challen) August 30, 2022
🤡 David Beckham historically posting the Rainbow Flag on Instagram.
💥 Now the face of Qatar – where homosexuality comes with punishment of up to 3 years in prison and a fine and the possibility of death penalty for Muslims
Not that he needs the cash but £10m in the bank helps pic.twitter.com/eyxdnta7ah
— Jamie Jenkins (@statsjamie) August 30, 2022
David Beckham says he cannot wait to bring his kids to Qatar, as he accepts £10 million to advertise the Gulf dictatorship. If his children were gay he would not be allowed bring them to Qatar because being gay is illegal there. How easily some are bought.https://t.co/KrV9pyoxoa
— John O’Brennan 🇺🇦 (@JohnOBrennan2) August 30, 2022
David Beckham used to be labelled a gay icon, appearing on a 2002 @AttitudeMag cover. He’s nothing more than the latest in a line of sellouts when it comes to this years World Cup #NoPrideWithoutAll https://t.co/rooKAkLj39
— 3LIONSPRIDE 🌈🦁🦁🦁⚽️🏴🏳️🌈 (@3Lionspride) August 31, 2022
David Beckham is a shill for homophobic regimes who engage in slavery. Fuck him. https://t.co/qVdBexL5yS
— Mark Hebden 💙 (@unionlib) September 1, 2022
Something so sinister about David Beckham’s stance on the Qatar WC.
It’s the fact he’s tried and succeeded to conceal his true motivations by building a full proof public image and air of trustworthiness with the people who once adorned him.
Trust is a dangerous word. https://t.co/BE0cD8Yztg
— Sam Tabuteau (@tabuteauS) August 31, 2022
A tale of David Beckham’s life lasting 7 short years, and £10 million quid. pic.twitter.com/dr82RfMrpe
— Cristo (@cristo_radio) August 30, 2022
Hmmm. So, David Beckham is the new face of Qatar tourism, waxing lyrical about how magical and wonderful life is there. He better hope none of his kids turn out gay then hey? Shame if any of them joined him on his freebie holiday and got stoned to death, beheaded, or castrated.
— Ruth (@TweetsbyRuth) August 30, 2022
Listen to ‘The Rise of LGBTQ+ Football fan groups’ below: