Will Young urges David Beckham to donate to LGBTQIA+ charities in Qatar
Will Young has called on David Beckham to make an annual financial donation to help LGBTQIA+ charities in Qatar after he became a paid ambassador for the country ahead of the World Cup.
The singer, 43, has urged the former England footballer to take action after he signed a controversial deal with the Fifa World Cup hosts.
The tournament opens on Sunday in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal and anyone found to be engaging in same-sex sexual activity could face up to seven years in prison.
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David Beckham in the stands before the Fifa World Cup Group B match at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar (Martin Rickett/PA)
Young posted a message on Instagram to say he was “disappointed” in Beckham after his participation in the Qatar World Cup.
“Qatar is of course not the only country in the world with a terrible record of human rights,” he wrote. The argument that sport is not politics is duplicate and two-sided.
“However, it is certainly clear that a star like you @davidbeckham who I used to sing for (not for any money that I was in a hurry to add) on your birthday made me Disappointed more than I can say.
“Our paths have met several times due to working with 19 Management and you are always friendly and generous. People do things for money, we all know that.
“This is what bothers me the most – not a whisper from your friend David to show solidarity, not a word from yourself to show support for the actual massacre of migrant workers, it is not David’s whisper to help LGBTQIA+ communities that are in constant danger.”
The Young Pop Idol winner, who wrote a book in 2020 exploring his experience of gay shame, has urged Beckham to donate £1m to charities LGBTQIA+ in Qatar for each year he is a paid ambassador.
He added: “Can something be salvaged from this hateful deal? Perhaps those funds can help provide much-needed safety to those living in terror while your posters let the people of Qatar down.”
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It comes after Joe Lycett offered to donate £10,000 of his own money to LGBTQ+ chars if Beckham ends sponsorship before the tournament begins, and if not, he says he will Live stream that money along with Beckham’s “gay status”.
The comedian, 34, appeared to support his decision in a video shared on the same day as the opening match, but later revealed that he didn’t actually shred the money but instead donated .
Beckham has been contacted for comment.
https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/will-young-urges-david-beckham-to-donate-to-lgbtqia-charities-in-qatar-42168442.html Will Young urges David Beckham to donate to LGBTQIA+ charities in Qatar
