David Beckham has responded to Joe Lycett regarding his multi-million Qatar World Cup ambassador role, after the comedian demanded he sever ties with the tournament and threatened to shred £10k in protest.
The former England captain has been heavily criticised for his involvement in the 2022 World Cup, given Qatar’s poor human rights record. This prompted Lycett to issue an ultimatum to Beckham, before seeming to destroy £10,000 in a stunt to highlight the host country’s record with the LGBTQ+ community.
David Beckham has since said he understands there are 'different and strongly held views about engagement in the Middle East' in a statement read out in a special edition of Joe Lycett's Got Your Back.
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A spokesperson for the former footballer, 47, who has struck a deal with World Cup host Qatar, said he sees it as 'positive' that debate about 'key issues' has been 'stimulated' by the contest being held in the country.
On Thursday evening, Lycett, 34, read out the statement in full: “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.”
Last month, in a video posted to social media, Lycett issued Beckham with an ultimatum after it was reported he had signed a £10 million deal with the Fifa World Cup hosts. The comic requested Beckham end his deal with Qatar before the World Cup opening ceremony or he would shred £10,000 of his own money.
Lycett later released a video in which he said Beckham had failed to respond and appeared to show him shredding the cash but he eventually revealed it was a hoax and he had already donated the money to LGBTQ+ charities.
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