David Beckham makes feelings clear after LGBTQ criticism over Qatar World Cup ambassadorial role
David Beckham has responded after the LGBTQ community criticised his Qatar World Cup role
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David Beckham has made it clear he has no regrets over working as an ambassador for Qatar at the World Cup last year.
The 48-year-old attracted criticism from LGBTQ groups over his role in the Middle East.
In Qatar, same-sex relationships are banned and under the threat of imprisonment.
Gay people could even face the death penalty if found to have breached their strict rules and regulations.
David Beckham was speaking at the premiere of his new Netflix documentary
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But Beckham, speaking at the red carpet for the premiere of his new Netflix documentary, has made it clear he has no regrets.
The former Manchester United star said he 'knew there was going to be people who were going to either talk about it a little bit more or let the football do the talking'.
Beckham also insisted it was a 'great tournament' and that 'a lot of people were happy there'.
The former England captain then proceeded to say that he'd talked with many of the 'LGBTQ people and community' when he was out there.
He insists they had enjoyed the tournament and been 'treated perfectly fine' and 'enjoyed matches'.
Furthermore, Beckham stated: "They felt it was the safest World Cup they’d had for a long time.
"So no, at the end of the day it was an important competition and one I was proud to be part of."
Beckham stated he and his team had 'done their homework' on everything out in the Middle East.
The 48-year-old continued: "I’ve always said football is a game that should be shared around the world.
"This was an opportunity for the Arab world to get a World Cup, to hold one of if not the biggest sporting events in the world."
A lack of regret from Beckham could risk further upsetting the LGBTQ community.
He was widely criticised last winter for opting to work in Qatar, with comedian Joe Lycett famously threatening to shed money if the ex-England skipper didn't pull out of his role.
If he had opted to walk away, the money would have gone to charity.
Beckham didn't respond to Lycett's videos at the time.
And the comedian then proceeded to apparently shed £10,000 of his own money as a means of protest.
That was, until he said he had actually given the money to LGBTQ charities instead.
While Beckham didn't respond directly to Lycett, however, a statement on his behalf was later read out on Joe's Got Your Back Christmas special.
“David has been involved in a number of World Cups and other major international tournaments both as a player and an ambassador," it read.
"And he’s always believed that sport has the power to be a force for good in the world.
“Football, the most popular sport globally, has a genuine ability to bring people together and make a real contribution to communities.
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Same-sex relationships are banned in Qatar
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“We understand that there are different and strongly held views about engagement in the Middle East but see it as positive that debate about the key issues has been stimulated directly by the first World Cup being held in the region.
“We hope that these conversations will lead to greater understanding and empathy towards all people and that progress will be achieved.”
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