David Beckham turns a blind eye to racism, misogyny and homophobia in Qatar because of £10m deal

A casually dressed David Beckham happily strolling through a busy Qatar bazaar looks like any other well-heeled tourist enjoying an autumn sun break.

But what these exclusive photos actually show is the former English soccer captain who made a commercial last month to cram the Middle East nation and its controversial World Cup – a role he’s paid more than £ 10 million to play.

And despite Beckham’s winning smile, the storm is growing over Qatar’s appalling human rights abuses that are the unacceptable backdrop for next year’s competition.

David Beckham at the Souq Waqif Art Center in Qatar. For two days, he also visited the city’s subway system and dined at the fine dining Nobu and Banyan Tree restaurants

This newspaper has highlighted in recent weeks how the country is shaped by racism, misogyny and the persecution of gay men and women.

Devastating reports have revealed how women are forced to seek consent from men to marry, study, or travel, and that rape victims end up facing seven years in prison for having sex outside of marriage.

Last week we shared how fears for the safety of 23-year-old Qatari suffragette Noof al-Maadeed, who fled her home to the UK in 2019 but has disappeared since returning earlier this month after receiving assurances from the authorities, are growing. that she was safe.

Another cable exposed the plight of men who were thrown in jail for looking like they were gay.

In Qatar, homosexuality is punished with three years in prison. We also revealed how migrant workers are treated as second class citizens and that hundreds have died building roads and stadiums in preparation for the tournament.

Beckham once claimed feminism was in its DNA and posed for pictures with a gay pride t-shirt last year, but applauded “great hotels and great culture” after an earlier Qatar visit in 2019.

The former England captain has come under fire for promoting an event in a country with such poor human rights. According to reports, women are forced to seek man’s consent in order to marry, study, or travel

Last night he was criticized by activists for using his influence to support a country where women and gays are so badly abused.

Veteran human rights activist Peter Tatchell said, “Qatar is not a great culture as David said when you are a woman, a migrant worker or a gay person.

“It is really disappointing that he is sponsoring Qatar in return for a lot of money, given its dire human rights record.

“He made a big mistake. I hope he thinks again. This does not fit in with his stated support for women and LGBT + rights. ‘

Beckham’s team did not want to confirm the existence of his lucrative advertising deal on file.

But a source close to the ex-footballer said he was on a scouting tour in Doha.

A spokesperson said: “David has been visiting Qatar for over a decade and … has seen the passion for football in the country and the long-term commitment to hosting the World Cup and creating a lasting legacy for the region.

“He always talked about the power of football as a force for good on many levels.”

But Beckham refused to answer questions about the persecution of gays and the mistreatment of women and migrant workers.

His reaction mirrors that of other high profile stars from the world of football, who usually like to speak out against discrimination and prejudice.

England coach Gareth Southgate, team captain Harry Kane, Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker and former English star turned television expert Gary Neville are among those who have remained silent about Qatar.

Beckham visits Education City Stadium in Qatar in 2019. Last night he was criticized by activists for using his influence to support a country where women and gays are being abused so badly

On October 4th, a private jet brought Beckham to the Qatari capital, Doha.

The fabulously wealthy footballer’s 69 million Instagram followers are usually well informed about his glamorous lifestyle, but he was unusually cautious on the occasion and chose not to post pictures of his trip.

However, excited locals who saw him drive around town accompanied by photographers and a film crew posted their own shots on Qatari social media sites.

Over two days, Beckham visited the city’s subway system and Souq Waqif Art Center, and dined at the fine dining Nobu and Banyan Tree restaurants.

The MoS revealed in February how Beckham, 46, who has an estimated net worth of £ 360million, signed the contract as ambassador for Qatar, who will play an important role in promoting the World Cup.

Beckham became a close friend in 2013 with the Qatari President of the French football club Paris Saint-Germain, Nasser Al-Khelaifi (picture right).

He never confirmed or denied the agreement.

The deal is believed to have come about after Beckham forged a close friendship with French football club Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaifi when the former Manchester United star joined the club in 2013.

The couple were photographed laughing at an international match in Qatar in December 2019, and Beckham has become a frequent visitor to the country – he’ll be returning to Qatar next month to watch the desert state-hosted Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Al-Khelaifi also runs the Qatari sports television broadcaster beIN. The network has been criticized for hiring Andy Gray and Richard Keys to anchor its football coverage when they were fired from Sky after making abusive comments about officer Sian Massey and other women.

Beckham was interviewed on the Qatari Channel talking about his desire to play at the World Cup in Qatar, a “great culture” and the positive results that running the tournament there will bring.

Rothna Begum, senior women’s rights researcher at campaign group Human Rights Watch, said: “Celebrities who are paid to promote the Qatari state, who view themselves as women’s and women’s rights, should seize the opportunity and access to those who in positions of power to ask what is happening. ‘