Will Young slams David Beckham over his controversial Qatar World Cup deal
Openly gay singer Will Young has criticised David Beckham for his partnership with Qatar and the 2022 World Cup. On 20 November, teams from around the world assembled in the gulf region to participate in the FIFA-backed tournament.
However in the years leading up to the event, activists, football fans and industry professionals have slammed the sporting event due to Qatar’s shocking human rights record.
In addition to the country facing backlash, Beckham has also garnered criticism for signing a £10 million ambassador deal for the World Cup – due to his past support of the LGBTQ+ community.
In Qatar, homosexuality is illegal and can be punished by penalties including flogging, imprisonment and even execution. While most of the criticism has come from fans, LGBTQ+ organisations and political figures, some of Beckham’s industry peers have also been vocal about his partnership – including Pop Idol star Young.
