Doha, Qatar: The former English professional footballer Mr. David Beckham is now taking more criticism for his role as an ambassador for Qatar after his declaration that the World Cup would serve as a platform for development, diversity, and tolerance.
Mr. Beckham, who is reported to be receiving $178 million from the Qataris, offered his upbeat assessment in a video message played to guests at the Supreme Committee’s “Generation Amazing” youth festival in Doha, where he also told those gathered that “today is your day to dream”.
In the run-up to this World Cup, concerns over workers’ and LGBTQ+ rights have persisted, along with queries about how much Qatar has evolved since being given the event in 2010. Mr. Beckham, however, didn’t seem uncertain about how far the nation had come.
Qatar dreamed of bringing the World Cup to a place that it had never been before, but that it wouldn’t be enough just to achieve things on the pitch. The pitch would be a platform for progress.
Mr. David Beckham remarked.
“Dreams can come true. That is why you are here. You share Generation Amazing’s twin passions for the game of football and for making the world a more tolerant and inclusive place,” the former footballer further commended.
Mr. Beckham has been under increasing pressure from LGBTQ+ groups with Mr. Di Cunningham, co-founder of the Three Lions Pride group, stating last week that the former English footballer should no longer be viewed as a great ally due to his paid ambassador status. However, the former English player asserted that Qatar and its ambassadors were improving lives.