Joe Lycett has been counting down the hours till he shreds £10,000 of his personal cash at noon at the moment until David Beckham ends his controversial multi-million-pound take care of Qatar to advertise the World Cup.
The Brummy comic posted an ultimatum on social media final week, warning the previous England star that together with the money, Beckham‘s “status as a gay icon will be shredded”.
Lycett unveiled the deadline in a message directed to Beckham personally, saying he would donate the cash to LGBTQ+ charities if the sports activities star ended the sponsorship deal forward of the match.
In the minute-and-a-half video, which exhibits Lycett sat at a desk with wads of money, he praises Beckham as a homosexual icon, joking that marrying a Spice Girl is “the gayest thing a human being can do”.
Going on to elucidate that Qatar has been “voted as one of the worst places in the world to be gay”, he appeals to Beckham to rethink his take care of the Middle East nation.
It has been reported that Beckham signed a multi-million-pound take care of the FIFA World Cup hosts, which Lycett says is price £10m – however different reviews have put as excessive as £150m.
Qatar has confronted an onslaught of criticism since being chosen because the host nation, with the nation’s human rights report and ban on same-sex relationships proving significantly problematic.
In Qatar, taking part in same-sex sexual exercise may be punished with as much as seven years in jail, and even the loss of life penalty.
The security of migrant staff and the logistics of holding a soccer match in desert warmth have additionally attracted detrimental consideration.
Beckham is but to publicly acknowledge or reply to the ultimatum, prompting Lycett to share a message to Beckham’s PR staff asking: “Could you let me know if there’s any chance he might budge on his position, or am I to expect radio silence on this?”
He added: “There’s still time for David and his team to do the right thing.”
He additionally shared an image of the £10k and the crimson woodchipper he’ll use to shred it.
Read extra: Being homosexual is ‘harm within the thoughts’ – Qatar World Cup ambassador
Lycett has arrange a devoted web site to livestream the shredding, which he says will happen at noon, shortly earlier than the World Cup opening ceremony.
There has been a combined response to the comic’s pledge to destroy the cash, with some praising him for elevating consciousness of Qatar’s poor human rights report and criminalisation of LGBTQ+ individuals, whereas some have urged him to donate the cash to a meals financial institution reasonably than shredding it at a time when the price of residing is hovering.
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Comedian Harry Hill commented on Lycett’s pledge on social media, wishing him luck and saying he could be “voting with my feet” and never watching any of the World Cup, or shopping for any merchandise endorsed by Beckham. For good measure, he added: “I will not be plucking my eyebrows.”
Sky News has contacted Beckham’s and Lycett’s representatives for remark.
The World Cup kicks off at the moment, with the opening ceremony at 2.30pm UK time, and the primary match at 4pm UK time, with Qatar taking part in Ecuador.
Source: information.sky.com”