David Beckham labelled a 'failure' despite issuing a statement on controversy

David Beckham’s ambassador role with the Qatar World Cup this year has been a source of his constant criticism and he’s finally opened up about it.

David Beckham addresses his controversial association with Qatar
© Tim P. Whitby
David Beckham addresses his controversial association with Qatar

The former footballerDavid Beckham signed a £10 million World Cup deal with Qatar for promoting this year’s World Cup in Qatar. Comedian Joe Lycett has been so against Beckham’s controversial association that he pulled a stunt of shredding his £10,000 in protest of the association.

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Beckham’s words

Joe is not on board with how Beckham is an LGBTQ ally only when it’s convenient. After his repeated attempts to get a comment from Beckham on his association, Beckham’s team has finally addressed the issues, reported MailOnline.

Joe read Beckham’s statement on a special edition episode of his show Joe Lycett's Got Your Back in which it stated that the 47-year-old footballer finds it a ‘positive’ that people are talking about ‘key issues’ in the world now. The full statement read:

David has been involved in a number of World Cups and other major international tournaments both as a player and an ambassador and he’s always believed that sport has the power to be a force for good in the world.
Football, the most popular sport globally, has a genuine ability to bring people together and make a real contribution to communities.
We understand that there are different and strongly held views about engagement in the Middle East but see it as positive that debate about the key issues has been stimulated directly by the first World Cup being held in the region.
We hope that these conversations will lead to greater understanding and empathy towards all people and that progress will be achieved.

Joe’s still not happy

While Joe confirmed that he’s not legally allowed to give his opinion on Beckham’s statement, he still ensured that his unhappiness with it is known. Hitting out at Beckham’s Qatar role, he said after the show:

I am angry at his blatant hypocrisy and failure to be an ally to the LGBTQ community.

His stunt to shred £10,000 was faked to get Beckham’s reaction and he had instead donated the money to LGBTQ charities.

Source Used

Daily Mail: 'It's a positive that debate about key issues has been stimulated': David Beckham FINALLY addresses his controversial World Cup role as Joe Lycett reads out a statement from the former footballer

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