Joe Lycett reacts to David Beckhams Qatar promotion statement
Joe Lycett calls out David Beckham for 'blatant hypocrisy'
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Joe Lycett reacted to the statement from David Beckham’s representatives about the former footballer’s involvement in the Qatar World Cup. In a special edition of Joe Lycett v David Beckham: A Got Your Back Christmas Special, the comedian lifted the lid on the high profile stunt he undertook ahead of the controversial tournament. During the Channel 4 show, Joe also passionately described his disappointment in the former England captain.
As the final of the World Cup in Qatar looms on Sunday, the comedian finally shared the response he received from the ex-Manchester United star.
Before he shared the statement from his legal team, Joe unloaded on the reasons behind his frustration.
Joe said: “I’m angry at what I see as blatant hypocrisy and the failure of David Beckham to be a true ally to the LGBTQ+ community.
“He told us queers he was on our side. He was on the cover of Attitude magazine.”
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During the passionate address he continued: “In fact only last year Becks said, ‘At the end of the day there will be a huge amount of gay people in sports and why should they be any different from anyone else?'”
“I don’t know David, possibly because the people paying you millions of pounds say they might execute them.
“You know? The people who reportedly paid you to make quality documentaries like this: David Beckham’s Qatar Stopover, which is amazingly even worse than it sounds.”
During the segment, a clip of the travel blog from the former footballer visiting a spice market was mocked by the presenter.
He joked: “Clearly they didn’t realise David Beckham went to a spice market he was choosing which of the five of them to inseminate.”
Joe gave viewers and the live studio audience a behind the scenes look into how he threatened to shred £10,000 unless Beckham ended his involvement with Qatar.
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in the Arab state and ahead of the tournament, there was widespread condemnation from fans and pundits.
Many critics believe the global tournament should not have been held in the country in the first place.
The potential new Great British Bake Off presenter revealed he did not shred the money, which symbolised a £1000 for every £1 million Beckham reportedly received from the nation.
Joe also shared the response from Beckham’s representatives following the bold move.
They said: “David has been involved in a number of World Cups and other major international tournaments both as a player, and as an ambassador, and he has always believed that sport has the power to be a force of 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.
“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.”
On the legal statement, Joe said “I have been advised that legally I cannot give my opinion on it.”
During a powerful speech at the end of the programme, he declared: “Allies should be for life and not for Christmas specials.”
Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back is available to stream on All 4
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