David Beckham has recently spoken out in defense of his ambassadorship with Qatar. This deal reportedly earned him around £125 million. This move has garnered widespread criticism, as Qatar’s bid for hosting the World Cup haD been mired in controversy and concerns about the country’s human rights record, particularly regarding the treatment of the LGBT+ community.

Qatar hosted the World Cup last winter, but the process that led to its awarding has been shrouded in allegations of corruption. Additionally, Qatar has faced scrutiny over its treatment of the LGBT+ community, with reports suggesting that LGBT+ individuals face persecution, arrests, and violence from security forces.

During his career as a footballer, Beckham was known as something of a ‘gay icon.’ However, his decision to represent Qatar, a nation with a controversial stance on LGBT+ rights, raised eyebrows.

Beckham, who inked a 10-year ambassadorship with Qatar, had rarely spoken about his decision until now. He defended his move by stating, “I do a lot of research into partners that I’m going into business with. And I wanted to be involved in another World Cup. I like to see the game grow, and that means it going into territories it hasn’t been in before.”

He acknowledged that he was aware of the questions and criticism surrounding his decision but stressed his belief in football as a powerful tool for change. Beckham emphasized that his interest lay in how people would be treated during the World Cup and whether they would be included or excluded from the experience.

Beckham recounted his personal experiences during his time in Qatar, stating that he spent a month there and did not encounter any issues concerning the LGBT+ community. He claimed to have been in the company of the LGBTQ community, engaging with people on the ground.

However, evidence has emerged that contradicts Beckham’s claim that the LGBTQ community in Qatar faced no issues. For example, security officials confiscated rainbow-colored items, including rainbow bucket hats worn by Wales fans, at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium during the World Cup, prompting criticism from Wales’ Football Association.

While David Beckham maintains his stance on his ambassadorship with Qatar and insists that he did not witness issues during his visit, questions about Qatar’s human rights record and its treatment of the LGBT+ community continue to cast a shadow over the country’s international image and its hosting of major sporting events.