FIFA World Cup 2022: Joe Lycett is praised by fans for calling out David Beckham’s ‘blatant hypocrisy’

The comedian blasted David Beckham on Channel 4’s Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back
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Joe Lycett has been praised by viewers of his Channel 4 show after calling out David Beckham’s “blatant hypocrisy and failure to be an ally to the LGBTQ community”.

The comedian, 34, from Birmingham, went viral before the FIFA World Cup began after stating that he would shred £10,000 of his own money if David Beckham went ahead with promoting the football tournament in Qatar.

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Having pretended to have shredded the cash weeks earlier, Joe finally received a response from the former footballer, 47, ahead of Channel 4’s Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back on Thursday night.

Joe explained to viewers that he isn’t legally allowed to give his opinion, however many were quick to voice their own thoughts on Twitter.

Joe blasted David Beckham for supporting the World Cup in Qatar, despite homosexuality still being illgeal in the Middle Eastern country.

Joe said: “I am angry at what I see as blatant hypocrisy and a failure of David Beckham to be a true ally to the LGBTQ+ community.”

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He pointed out how the football icon had previously done shoots with gay magazines such as Attitude and was among the first sports stars to be an advocate for the LGBTQ community.

Joe admitted that he expects more from “our national hero” and shredded an issue of Attitude magazine with David Beckham on the cover.

A spokesperson for David Beckham sent Joe a statement in response to the backlash the former football has received.

The statement read: “David has been involved in a number of World Cups and other major international tournaments both as a player and an ambassador and he’s always believed that sport has the power to be a force for good in the world.

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Football, the most popular sport globally, has a genuine ability to bring people together and make a real contribution to communities.

“We understand that there are different and strongly held views about engagement in the Middle East but see it as positive that debate about the key issues has been stimulated directly by the first World Cup being held in the region.

“We hope that these conversations will lead to greater understanding and empathy towards all people and that progress will be achieved.”

Joe Lycett and David Beckham (Getty Images)Joe Lycett and David Beckham (Getty Images)
Joe Lycett and David Beckham (Getty Images)

Viewers quickly took to social media to give their opinion on the statement, with many praising Joe for blasting the former footballer.

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One wrote: “@joelycett #joelycett #JoeLycettvDavidBeckham not allowed to reply to #DavidBeckham’s spokesperson!? I’ll gladly reply that his pathetic hypocrisy about how he’s raising awareness for football and gay people is nothing but a pisspoor excuse to hide the fact he did it for money!”

Another said: “Kudos to @joelycett for his perseverance on this.Yes, #football is the greatest sport and often a force for good, but the statement representing #DavidBeckham does not excuse his gutless hypocrisy.”

A third added: “Every word of David Beckham’s laughable "statement" to @joelycett’s show would, I’m sure, have been triple-checked to ensure it didn’t offend anyone in Qatar. Beckham’s awful choices will haunt him for a long time. There’s only one hero in this story, and it’s certainly not him.”

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