David Beckham has been slammed for “hypocrisy” after presenting an Earthshot Prize in Boston regardless of his ongoing controversy over his ambassadorship of Qatar.
The soccer champion has been a lightning rod for criticism on the World Cup after he signed a $A277 million deal to grow to be the face of Qatar for a decade as of 2021.
Whereas the soccer has been glittering on the turf, the Qatar World Cup had been slammed as a result of host nation’s human rights document, together with the reported dying of over 6000 migrant employees constructing the stadiums for the match and homosexuality being deemed unlawful within the Gulf state and punishable by imprisonment.
However Beckham has attracted extra criticism after he attended Prince William’s Earthshot Prize ceremony in Boston.
The Earthshot Prize awards 5 winners annually for his or her contributions to environmentalism, awarding a million kilos every so the winners could proceed their work.
The winners attended the awards remotely as a way to scale back their carbon footprint, however the gala was a star-studded occasion, with Beckham jetting in to current one of many awards.
“Good night, everybody. I used to be honoured to be requested by Prince William to be a part of this 12 months’s Earthshot Prize,” Beckham stated in his speech.
“Now, I’m an optimist as a result of people are able to nice creativity after we collaborate.
“We create magnificence in artwork, music, movie, and naturally, sport. We create issues that deliver us consolation on this difficult world.
“However, we additionally create waste. We make over 300 million tonnes of plastic per 12 months. That’s the equal, in weight, to each grownup on Earth.”
Whereas Beckham was speaking an enormous sport on stage, followers at residence had some questions on Beckham’s personal environmental footprint.
On high of attending World Cup matches and the Earthshot Prize, Beckham additionally flew to London for the Christmas celebration for spouse Victoria’s vogue model.
Beckham’s status is in tatters after his involvement with Qatar and has been slammed for betraying his values for cash.
He defended his actions by way of a spokesperson, claiming: “David has been visiting Qatar commonly for over a decade and went on to play for PSG [Paris Saint-Germain], so he has seen the eagerness for soccer within the nation and the long-term dedication that’s been made to internet hosting the World Cup and delivering an enduring legacy for the area”.
Nevertheless, it has not stopped the backlash in the direction of him.
Former Socceroo turned social justice campaigner Craig Foster instructed WWOS final month that the world’s view of Beckham had shifted.
“For Beckham to simply accept the cash, with out in any means acknowledging his previous statements, his assist for LGBTI+ neighborhood, or the precise concern because it’s dwell in the present day in Qatar, is actually disgraceful,” Foster stated.
“There’s no query that the thought of who David Beckham is has modified.
“The LGBTI+ neighborhood could nicely really feel used now. In portraying himself, throughout a interval when LGBTI+ rights had been foremost in social conversations, as an ally … that in itself may be very constructive, nonetheless it may also be seen below a distinct mild as utilizing the LGBTI+ neighborhood trigger to construct his personal model.
“Standing with them, utilizing a slogan, sharing a hashtag, these are all essential actions, however in some unspecified time in the future we’re all examined in our authenticity.
“And it’s in these exams after we reveal via our allyship. When cash is on the desk, sadly, human beings have issue being genuine. And sadly now, for David, he has grow to be the worldwide emblem for that in sport.”
Beckham was additionally compelled to relocate from his $A35,700 an evening lodging after followers found the place he was staying in Qatar.
