David Beckham claims the Qatar World Cup “has the ability to be a power for good” after defending his A$272 million deal to be the face of the finals.
The ex-England captain broke his silence on Friday in response to being known as out by comic Joe Lycett, The Sun studies.
Lycett protested in opposition to Beckham’s A$27 million-a-year settlement to be an envoy for the tiny gulf nation.
He went viral for his money-shredding stunt final month after he issued an ultimatum to Beckham for the Qatar deal, the place homosexuality is prohibited.
If Beckham didn’t pull out of the deal, Lycett mentioned he would shred A$18,000.
It was later revealed that Lycett had in reality donated it to an LGBTQ+ charity.
Former England participant David Beckham attends the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B soccer match between England and Iran on the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 21, 2022. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)Source: AFP
But a spokesman for Beckham: “David has been concerned in various World Cups and different main worldwide tournaments each as a participant and an envoy and he has all the time believed that sport has the ability to be a power for good on the earth.
“Football, the most well-liked sport globally, has a real potential to carry folks collectively and make an actual contribution to communities.
“We perceive that there are completely different and strongly held views about engagement within the Middle East however see it as optimistic that debate about the important thing points has been stimulated instantly by the primary World Cup being held within the area.
“We hope that these conversations will result in higher understanding and empathy in direction of all folks and that progress can be achieved.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (C) and former England participant David Beckham (L) are seen within the stand previous to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Revealing what actually occurred with the $18,000, Lycett mentioned: “I haven’t fairly advised you the entire reality – the reality is the cash that went into the shredder was actual, however the cash that got here out was pretend. I’d by no means destroy actual cash.
“I’d by no means be so irresponsible, in reality, the ten grand (A$18,000) had already been donated to LGBTQ+ charities earlier than I even pressed ship on the preliminary tweet final week.
“I by no means anticipated to listen to from you, it was an empty risk designed to get folks speaking.”
– This article initially appeared in The Sun and was republished with permission.
