David Beckham ‘signs £10m deal to become face of Qatar’, where homosexuality is illegal
David has previously said: "I'm very honoured to have the tag of gay icon"
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: BBC
David Beckham has signed a £10m ($13.71m) deal to promote the country of Qatar, according to reports.
Some fans will take issue with the noted gay icon’s new project as homosexuality is illegal in the country, with sodomy punishable by up to three years in prison.
Under Sharia law, native Muslims caught ‘leading, instigating or seducing a male anyhow for sodomy or dissipation’ can be punished by death.
“I’m very honoured to have the tag of gay icon”
According to the Mail On Sunday, footballing legend David will play a key role in promoting next year’s World Cup, which Qatar is hosting.
An unnamed Qatari source told the publication: “This is a deal that is supposed to be top secret. It is being kept quiet until there is an opportunity to land it without David’s PR being affected too much.
“Well, that’s the hope anyway. Qatar are very much in his hands. There are concerns about his reputation but there is enough money on the table for the optics not to matter so much.
“That said, it will be officially landed at an opportunistic time.”
Another added: “David has so many big-money deals, you do wonder why he would want one like this.”
David – the husband of Spice Girls star and fashion designer Victoria Beckham – has previously reflected on his popularity among LGBTQs, telling BBC Radio 2’s Lines of Enquiry in 2007: “I’m very honoured to have the tag of gay icon.”
Last December, a FIFA rep claimed Qatar would allow Pride flags at the sporting event.
A representative for Beckham declined to comment when approached by Attitude.
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