UK

Joe Lycett gives David Beckham serious ultimatum over World Cup deal with anti-LGBTQ+ Qatar

Side by side photos of Joe Lycett and David Beckham

People are now commenting that Joe Lycett should donate the £10k to charity, regardless of what Beckham does. (Vimeo/ Getty)

The hero we all need Joe Lycett has threatened to put £10,000 in a shredder if David Beckham refuses to pull out of his World Cup deal with Qatar.

On Sunday (13 November), Lycett released a video on social media which he said was a “message to David Beckham”.

“I consider you, along with Kim Woodburn and Monty Don, to be a gay icon,” Lycett said.

“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 Lycett said that Beckham had gone drastically downhill in the LGBTQ+ community’s estimations this year, when he signed a reported £10 million deal to be the ambassador of anti-LGBTQ+ Qatar during the FIFA World Cup.

Both Beckham and the world football governing body FIFA have received widespread backlash for the promotion of Qatar, a nation where homosexuality is illegal and punishments can range from hefty fines to prison sentences.

In regions where Sharia law is enforced, it is possible for men found to have engaged in same-sex intimacy to be given a death sentence.

Lycett continued: “You have always talked about the power of football as a force for good. Which suggests to me you have never seen West Brom.

“But, generally, I agree. So with that in mind I’m giving you a choice.

“If you end your relationship with Qatar I will donate ten grand of my own money (that’s a grand for every million you’re reportedly getting) to charities that support queer people in football.

“However, if you do not I will throw the money into a shredder at midday next Sunday, 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 gay icon will be shredded.

“Also you’ll be forcing me to commit what might be a crime. Although even then, I reckon I’ll get off more lightly than I would if I got caught whacking off a lad in Doha.”

Like a glittery Bond villain who has decided to use his power for good, Lycett finished the message: “The choice is yours. I look forward to hearing from you.”

Lycett’s website BendersLikeBeckham.com features only his video, as well as a countdown timer showing how long Beckham has to make his choice.

Gay HIV and sexual health advocate Tom Hayes tweeted: “So, Joe Lycett continues to cement his position as not only an LGBTQ+ icon but an incredible champion for our people.”

Academic Dr Harry McCarthy added that the comedian was “once again doing far more for the marginalised than our world leaders”.

Beckham has not, at the time of writing, publicly responded to Lycett’s ultimatum. PinkNews has approached his publicist for comment.

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