Joe Lycett: comedian says David Beckham’s Qatar 2022 World Cup statement was ‘rude and dangerous’

Joe Lycett has responded to a statement from David Beckham in regards to his  money-shredding stunt during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Joe Lycett has commented on a statement from David Beckham. Credit: Getty ImagesJoe Lycett has commented on a statement from David Beckham. Credit: Getty Images
Joe Lycett has commented on a statement from David Beckham. Credit: Getty Images

Joe Lycett has branded a statement from England football legend David Beckham as “rude and dangerous”. The Late Night Lycett presenter, 34, from Birmingham, protested Beckham’s affiliation with Qatar in December last year. He put £10,000 cash in a shredder because Beckham refused to  cut ties with the event. 

Joining many others, Joe voiced that the World Cup shouldn’t be held in Qatar due to their human rights issues, particularly affecting the LGBTQ+ community. It was later revealed that the money was fake, and Joe instead donated the £10,000 to charity.

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Recently speaking with the Radio Times, the brummie comedian reflected on a statement from David Beckham’s representatives in response to the situation. He argued: “[It] was insufficient, if I were being kind, and sort of rude and dangerous if I'm not.

“‘There are good people on both sides’. It’s sort of saying human rights are up for debate. But at least we know where we are with him now.”

Joe noted that the statement was not actually written by David Beckham himself. He expressed that  he thinks the former Manchester United winger is a good-person at heart, but afflicted by the money he received from the Qatar deal, saying: “I actually think [Beckham’s] probably a good egg, but he’s just got some people around him who are also probably getting some of that sweet Qatari cash.”

The statement from Beckham’s representatives accredited the location of the recent World Cup to opening discourse about discrimination. Part of the statement reads: “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”.

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