David Beckham Slammed for Reportedly Becoming Face of Homophobic Qatar in £150 Million Deal

David Beckham speaks with Nasser al-Khelaifi, chairman of Qatar Sports Investments. (AFP via Getty/ KARIM JAAFAR)
PINK NEWS: David Beckham has reportedly signed a deal worth £150 million to become the “face of Qatar” ahead of next year’s World Cup.

According to The Sun, Beckham will “promote tourism and culture” for the next decade in the country, which is strongly anti-LGBT+ and has an atrocious human rights record.

The deal was first reported by The Mail on Sunday in February, although it is still unclear what duties the role will involve. He will reportedly earn £15 million a year for the next decade.

Beckham, who in 2007 said he was “honoured to have the tag of gay icon” and is an ambassador for UNICEF, spent a week in Qatar this month, one of the most dangerous places in the world to be LGBT+.

In a vague statement, a spokesperson for Beckham told The Telegraph: “David has been visiting Qatar regularly for over a decade and went on to play for [Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain] so he has seen the passion for football in the country and the long-term commitment that’s been made to hosting this World Cup and delivering a lasting legacy for the region.

“He’s always talked about the power of football as a force for good.

“As we reach the one-year-to-go point, he joins the wider football community that is coming together for the World Cup 2022 and he’s looking forward to what he thinks will be a great tournament.” Homosexuality can be punished by imprisonment, flogging or death in Qatar » | Lily Wakefield | Monday, October 25, 2021

New Zealand PM in Trouble over David Beckham 'Thick' Comment
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has found himself at the centre of a social media storm over insulting remarks he is reported to have made about football player David Beckham.

Mr Key appeared on television on Monday parrying questions over whether he had, as reported in New Zealand media, branded David Beckham, who plays for LA Galaxy and was a celebrity ambassador for the London 2012 Olympics, "thick as bat ----"

The media said Mr Key made the remark last week when telling school pupils about Beckham's visit to New Zealand in 2008 for an exhibition match between the LA Galaxy and the Oceania All-Stars in Auckland.

Radio New Zealand said Mr Key described Beckham as handsome and "a really nice guy" but "thick".

He was repeatedly asked on breakfast TV about his alleged comments.

"That is someone that thinks they have overheard a conversation I have had. I am not going to engage in that because otherwise I am engaging in every conversation that someone thinks I have," Mr Key said.


THE GUARDIAN: New Zealand PM accused of calling David Beckham 'thick': John Key reported to have insulted former England football captain during a school visit in Auckland » | Press Association | Monday, November 05, 2012