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£150million Face of Qatar W/Cup: Beckham facing backlash

 

David Beckham is facing huge backlash after it was reported he will become the face of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite concerns surrounding human rights abuses in the country.

In a deal reportedly worth up to £150million, the former England captain will act as an ambassador for the country and promote tourism as part of the deal.

But Beckham is under fire for accepting the role as fans and campaigners have been quick to point out the human rights controversies surrounding the host nation of the tournament next year.

Amnesty International UK has now increased the pressure on the footballer by urging him ‘to learn about the deeply concerning human rights situation in Qatar and be prepared to speak out about it’.

It comes as critics accused Beckham of ‘selling his soul’ and described his actions as ‘pure greed’ after details of the deal emerged.

The Mail on Sunday has highlighted over recent weeks how the country is rife with racism, misogyny and the persecution of gay men and women.

And it is against the backdrop of these controversies, fans have accused Beckham, who is reportedly worth in the region of £360million, of putting money and wealth above anything else.

READ ALSO2022 World Cup: David Beckham ‘agrees £150m ambassador deal with Qatar’

Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s CEO, said: ‘It’s not surprising that David Beckham wants to be involved in such a major football event, but we would urge him to learn about the deeply concerning human rights situation in Qatar and be prepared to speak out about it.

It is understood the deal came about after Beckham formed a close friendship with the Qatari president of French football club Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, when the former Manchester United star joined the club in 2013.

 

 

 

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