October 24, (THEWILL) – English football legend David Beckham has come under fire after agreeing to a £150 million deal to become Qatar’s ambassador for the next decade, which will see him become the face of the 2022 World Cup.
The Manchester United legend has been accused of deception in the country’s anti-sportswashing campaign, and some have called for his removal from his role at the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The England legend was spotted in the country earlier this month, taking in the sights, including some of the stadiums that will host next year’s World Cup. Beckham is supposed to play an official role as part of a deal set to be announced next month, in which he will promote Qatari tourism and culture.
The 46-year-old was reportedly told that rainbow flags would be permitted at the World Cup, in a country that has been chastised for its human rights record, particularly towards gay people and women.
A spokesperson for the footballer explained Beckham’s stance saying: “David has always talked about the power of football as a force for good on many levels. As we reach the one year to go point he will join 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.”
Qatar’s bid to prepare for the World Cup next winter has shed light on their treatment of migrant workers, in addition to their poor human rights record.
The country continues to claim that worker conditions are a top priority, but numerous investigations have found that this is not the case, and there is evidence that the number of migrant worker deaths is underreported.
People have questioned Beckham’s role with UNICEF as a result of his decision to accept the position. But, Beckham has a long history with Qatar, dating back to his days as a player for Paris Saint-Germain.
The ambassadorial deal is thought to have come about as a result of Beckham’s close friendship with Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the Qatari president of PSG, when the former Manchester United star played for the club in 2013.
Beckham has become a frequent visitor to Qatar, and he will return next month to watch the Formula One Grand Prix hosted by the desert state.
In a 2019 interview about the World Cup in Qatar, Beckham expressed his envy at not being able to attend as a player: “I think as a player and a fan you want to visit a World Cup competition with great facilities, safe facilities, great hotels and great culture – and that’s what Qatar is all about.
“I wish I was still playing because to play in stadiums like this, it’s a dream. Players are going to be spoilt.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
