sportbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

"I Wouldn't Have Done It" - England Legend Slams David Beckham's Lucrative Deal With Qatar

"I Wouldn't Have Done It" - England Legend Slams David Beckham's Lucrative Deal With Qatar

The former England striker has criticised David Beckham's decision to become an ambassador for Qatar.

James Hilsum

James Hilsum

David Beckham has come in for high-profile criticism from fellow England legend Gary Lineker, after his decision to become an ambassador for Qatar.

Beckham is now a cultural ambassador for the Middle Eastern state, which includes helping to promote next year's World Cup - something which Lineker would refuse to do if asked.

"It's not something I would have done but it's his business," he said, in quotes published by the Daily Mail.

"Will I do stuff for Qatar in the World Cup? Absolutely not. Whatever they wanted to pay me, the answer would be no."

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona striker has continued to be vocal in his opposition to Qatar, and strongly disputes the decision to hold the tournament there in the first place.

"We know it was a corrupt bid. We shouldn't be there, but it is there, and I'll go and report on it from there," he said in an interview with The Sun.

"Will I support the Qatar World Cup in a sense of all that? No, because they've got too many fundamental human rights wrong."


PA: David Beckham and Gary Lineker were part of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.
PA: David Beckham and Gary Lineker were part of England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Beckham and Lineker previously worked together back in 2009 to help promote England's failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup, which was subsequently awarded to Russia.

The ex Three Lions skipper also faced calls to speak out about the "deeply concerning" situation in Qatar, due to the limited rights of women and migrant workers in the country.

But other big footballing stars have also been reluctant to openly criticise Qatar, and among these includes current England skipper Harry Kane, who has previously spoken out in campaigns against homophobia and racism.

PA: Gary Neville has openly criticised Saudi Arabia, but not Qatar.
PA: Gary Neville has openly criticised Saudi Arabia, but not Qatar.

Beckham's best friend and former Manchester United teammate, Gary Neville, has been quick to condemn Saudi Arabia, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairing the group that bought Newcastle United.

He said: "They've got to change those things as part of coming into English football," in response to a gay man currently being in jail in the country.

He also encouraged the UK government and the Premier League to hold a meeting to put pressure on the Saudi Arabian authorities to make reforms, but made no mention of Qatar in his comments.

It will be interesting to see if anyone else speaks out against Qatar in the coming weeks.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Gary Lineker, David Beckham, England, Qatar, Gary Neville, World Cup, Harry Kane