The news that David Beckham has signed a reported £10 million contract with Qatar to be their ambassador during the FIFA World Cup in a country where LGBTQ+ are persecuted has been met with many cries of outrage. Dr Nas Mohamed, Qatar’s only openly gay public figure, was blocked by the footballer after appealing for him to take a stand on LGBTQ+ rights in the country. Now, comedian Joe Lycett has joined the conversation, offering Beckham an ultimatum in a stunt he’s entitled Benders Like Beckham.
In a video posted to Twitter, Lycett said: “This is a message to David Beckham. I consider you, along with Kim Woodburn and Monty Don, to be a gay icon. You were 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 a human being can do.
https://t.co/FqoC3hSFM8 🌈 pic.twitter.com/EPLVNwmnvV
— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) November 13, 2022
“But now it’s 2022 and you’ve signed a reported £10 million deal with Qatar to be their ambassador during the FIFA World Cup. Qatar was voted as the one of the worst places in the world to be gay – homosexuality is illegal, punishable by imprisonment, and if you’re Muslim, possibly even death.
“You have always talked about the power of football as a force for good. Which suggests to me you have never seen West Brom. But generally I agree – so with that in mind I’m giving you a choice. If you end your relationship with Qatar I will donate ten 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 I will throw the money into a shredder at midday next Sunday, just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it right here. Not just the money, but also your status as gay icon will be shredded.
“Also you’ll be forcing me to commit what might be a crime. Although even then, I reckon I’ll get off more lightly than I would if I got caught whacking off a lad in Doha. The choice is yours. I look forward to hearing from you. Joe Lycett”
This strong message from Joe Lycett was accompanied by the website benderslikebeckham.com where the statement to Beckham sits beneath a countdown to the FIFA World Cup, and, of course, the point in time when Lycett will either donate the money to charity or shred it on a livestream in protest against Beckham’s connection with the anti-LGBTQ+ country of Qatar.