World Cup 2022: David Beckham's 'standing as a homosexual icon can be shredded' if he continues as Qatar ambassador says British comic

Muricas News  — 

David Beckham’s “standing as a homosexual icon can be shredded” if the previous England captain and Manchester United star continues in his position as a Qatar World Cup ambassador mentioned British comic Joe Lycett on Sunday.

In a video posted on Twitter, Lycett, a British comic who describes himself as queer on his web site, mentioned he would donate £10,000 ($11,000) to charities supporting “queer individuals in soccer” or put the cash by the shredder together with “Beckham’s fame as a homosexual icon” if the previous footballer didn't reduce ties with Qatar.

Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Supply & Legacy has just lately advised Muricas News that the 2022 World Cup will “be an inclusive, protected event” and mentioned “everyone seems to be welcome, no matter race, background, faith, gender, orientation or nationality.”

World soccer governing physique FIFA referred Muricas News to the Supreme Committee for Supply & Legacy for all remark referring to Lycett’s criticism of Beckham and Qatar.

Beckham, contacted by Muricas News by his representatives, declined to touch upon the criticism round his ambassadorship.

Muricas News contacted the Supreme Committee for Supply & Legacy for remark however has not obtained a response.

“Homosexuality is against the law, punishable by imprisonment and, should you’re Muslim, probably even dying,” mentioned Lycett in an Instagram submit.

A report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed in October documented alleged instances of beatings and sexual harassment. In line with victims interviewed by Human Rights Watch, safety forces allegedly compelled transgender girls to attend conversion remedy classes at a behavioral healthcare middle sponsored by the federal government.

“Qatari authorities want to finish impunity for violence towards LGBT individuals. The world is watching,” mentioned Rasha Younes of Human Rights Watch.

A Qatari official advised Muricas News that the HRW allegations “include info that's categorically and unequivocally false.”

Lycett, nevertheless, is taking purpose at Beckham.

“You’re the primary Premiership footballer to do shoots with homosexual magazines like Angle, to talk overtly about your homosexual followers,” Lycett mentioned.

“Now, it’s 2022. And also you signed a reported £10 million ($11.7 million) cope with Qatar to be their ambassador through the FIFA World Cup.”

Underneath Qatari regulation, homosexuality is against the law and punishable by as much as three years in jail.

Lycett mentioned that Beckham has “at all times talked in regards to the energy of soccer as a power for good” and inspired him to make use of his platform to marketing campaign for LGBTQ rights.

“If you don't, by noon subsequent Sunday [November 20, 2022], I'll throw this cash right into a shredder simply earlier than the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it dwell on an internet site I’ve registered known as benderslikebeckham.com.”

Lycett will not be the primary particular person or group to criticize Beckham for his ambassadorship. Adelaide United participant Josh Cavallo, who got here out as homosexual final yr, advised Muricas News Sport he want to see Beckham utilizing his platform to help the LGBTQ group as a substitute of selling the Qatari authorities.

“If somebody like David Beckham together with his platform does get round us and turns into an ally that we're wanting him to be, it's actually useful.

“If he may take that subsequent step and present what he means to the LGBTQ group, that might be incredible.”

HRW has additionally just lately highlighted “arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment” of LGBTQ individuals in Qatar.

“There are only a few days till the World Cup kickoff, however that’s loads of time for the Qatari authorities to finish ill-treatment of LGBT individuals,” HRW mentioned in a November press launch.

“Qatari authorities ought to publicly condemn violence towards LGBT individuals and formally acknowledge that having same-sex sexual attraction will not be a psychological well being situation.”