Comic puts his own cash on the line to highlight Qatari abuses

Joe Lycett has pledged put £10,000 of his own money into a shredder if David Beckham does not end his lucrative  Qatari deal to promote the World Cup.

The comedian says he will donate the money to charity if the football star rejects his multimillion pound deal to ‘sportswash’ the Gulf state’s dismal record on gay rights.

But if not, the footballer’s ‘status as a gay icon will be shredded’ along with the cash, live on the internet on Sunday.

However it is though unlikely Beckham would forego a deal reportedly worth £10million a year for a decade, despite facing fierce criticism.

In a video posted on social media and the newly created website benderslikebeckham.com, Lycett says: ‘This is a message to David Beckham. I consider you, along with Kim Woodburn and Monty Don, to be a gay icon.

https://t.co/FqoC3hSFM8 pic.twitter.com/EPLVNwmnvV

— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) November 13, 2022

‘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.

‘However now it’s 2022 and you have signed a reported worth £10million with Qatar to be their ambassador during the Fifa World Cup.

‘Qatar was voted one of the worst places in the world to be gay, punishable by imprisonment – and, if you are Muslim, even death. You have often talked about football as a force for good – which suggests to me you’ve never seen West Brom – but generally I agree.

‘So I’m giving you this choice. If you end your relationship with Qatar I will donate 10 grand of my own money 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.

‘Not just the money, but also your status as a 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.’

Published: 14 Nov 2022