David Beckham is an ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. That’s upset some in his home country of England.
British comedian Joe Lycett took aim at the heralded former captain of the English National Team. Lycett, who made the statement in a video from his Twitter account, claimed he would donate a heaping sum of money to charities if Beckham didn’t cut ties with the country.
Lycett, who describes himself as queer, particularly detailed Beckham’s status as a “gay icon” and the optics of him being an ambassador for the event.
https://t.co/FqoC3hSFM8 🌈 pic.twitter.com/EPLVNwmnvV
— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) November 13, 2022
Said Lycett, “This is a message to David Beckham. I consider you, along with Kim Woodburn and Monty Don, to be a gay icon. You’re the first Premiership footballer to do shoots with gay magazines like Attitude. To speak openly about your gay fans. And you married a Spice Girl, which is the gayest thing you can do.”
Lycett went on to discuss Beckham and the $10 million-pound deal with the country to be an ambassador for the World Cup. Qatar is “one of the worst places in the world to be gay” Lycett reminded. He then made an offer to Beckham.
Lycett said, “If you end your relationship with Qatar, I’ll donate this 10 grand of my own money – that’s a grand for every million you’re reportedly getting – to charities that support queer people in football. However, if you do not, at midday next Sunday, I will throw this money into a shredder. Just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup. And stream it live on a website I’ve registered called benderslikebeckham.com. Not just the money, but also your status as a gay icon will be shredded.”
Lycett said the choice was Beckham’s and he looked forward to hearing from him.
