World Cup 2022: David Beckham criticized for a commercial in favor of Qatar
David Beckham, August 20, 2022. © AP - Matias J. Ocner
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
David Beckham is under fire from critics.
In an advertising campaign, the former British footballer promotes Qatar, two months from the World Cup in this country.
He describes it as a paradise country, while Qatar is regularly singled out for its poor human rights record.
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"
It's perfection for me
," says David Beckham, who is still as charming as he is, roaming
Qatar
, in the desert, on a boat, or on a motorbike... Polished landscapes, smiling inhabitants:
"it's an incredible place to make a stop
, proclaims the former football legend,
I can't wait to take my children there
.
»
Qatar Tourism launches marketing campaign featuring #DavidBeckham#Qatar pic.twitter.com/eFmNMXMp90
— The Peninsula Qatar (@PeninsulaQatar) August 27, 2022
But too much is too much.
This advertising campaign bristles Internet users and certain English media such as the
Daily Mail
, which accuses: David Beckham declares himself a feminist, defender of homosexuals, engaged in humanitarian work... and for ten million pounds, nearly twelve million euros , he becomes the acceptable face of an Arab country where homosexuality is illegal.
David Beckham accused of 'selling his soul' over '£150m deal to be face of Qatar World Cup' https://t.co/ZmwIfEnXZq
— Daily Mail UK (@DailyMailUK) October 24, 2021
David Beckham would have, according to the
Telegraph
, signed a contract equivalent to 178 million euros over fifteen years with Qatar, in order to ensure their promotion, in particular for
the World Cup this year.
Amnesty International also denounces the footballer's advertising campaign.
The human rights organization regrets that the fame of the star is not used to denounce the abuses suffered by the thousands of migrant workers employed to build the infrastructure of the Football World Cup.
Felix Jakens, one of Amnesty's UK officials:
Beckham's global fame and status is gold for Qatar's image, but he should use that image to call on Fifa and the Qatari authorities to address the terrible abuses faced by tens of thousands of migrant workers. when building infrastructure for the World Cup.
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