Joe Lycett offers David Beckham a World Cup ultimatum over Qatar partnership

A popular British comedian has made an offer to David Beckham after criticising him for accepting Qatari money for a World Cup role.

Joe Lycett calls out David Beckham

Joe Lycett has called out David Beckham for accepting money from Qatar and joining the World Cup as an official ambassador.

Lycett urged Beckham to end his rumoured £10 million deal ($AU 17m) with Qatar which has seen him star in advertisements spruiking the country.

Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Qatar’s human rights record has come under increasing scrutiny as the World Cup draws closer with a Qatari ambassador recently calling homosexuality a “damage in the mind”.

Homosexuality in the Gulf state is illegal and is punishable by imprisonment.

Lycett called out Beckham in a video uploaded to social media where he questioned the ‘gay icon’ for accepting money from Qatar.

“This is a message to David Beckham. I consider you, along with Kim Woodburn and Monty Don, to be a gay icon,” Lycett says.

“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.

“But now it’s 2022, and you’ve signed a reported 10 million pound deal with Qatar to be their ambassador during the FIFA World Cup.

“Qatar was voted as one of the worst places in the world to be gay; homosexuality is illegal punishable by imprisonment and, if you’re Muslim, possibly even death.”

“You’ve always talked about the power of football as a force for good, which suggests to me you’ve never seen West Brom but generally I agree.

“So with that in mind I’m giving you a choice.

Lycett’s Beckham ultimatum.

“If you end your relationship with Qatar, I’ll donate this 10 grand of my own money as a grand for every million you’re reportedly getting, to charities that support queer people in football,” Lycett said in the video.

“However, if you do not, by midday next Sunday, I will throw this money into a shredder just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it live on a website I’ve registered called benderslikebeckham.com.

“Not just the money, but also your status as a gay icon will be shredded, you’ll be forcing me to commit a crime.”

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

— Joe Lycett (@joelycett) November 13, 2022

Lycett’s video however attracted widespread outrage from his followers who criticised him for threatening to shred the money.

His followers were quick to point out the money should be used for charity instead of being wasted.

“Please don’t shred the money. That’s a lifeline to a small charity,” one user wrote.

Another responded: “Could you include a clause that the £10k could actually go to a cause instead of being wasted? Loads available. Or maybe to Beckham’s pet hate. But not totally wasted.”

One fan responded to his video with: “For the love of Christ, Joe, do not ACTUALLY waste that literally life-changing amount of money for the sake of naming and shaming a celebrity footballer.”

No @joelycett don't shred £10k (I honestly think you would do it !) While I fully support your stance that money could help do good. Please just give it to any charity of your choice instead.
As for David Beckham - please rethink your choice.

— Martin Hall (@DynomotHall) November 13, 2022

Music icon Dua Lipa shut down rumours linking her to a World Cup performance by pointing out she wouldn’t be venturing to Qatar because of their human rights record.

“There is currently a lot of speculation that I will be performing at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Qatar.

“I will not be performing and nor have I ever been involved in any negotiation to perform.

“I will be cheering England on from afar and I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup.

“One love, Dua x.”

Lycett’s ultimatum to Beckham will end ahead of the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador on Monday morning at 3am (AEDT).