David Beckham has been pictured schmoozing officials in Qatar after being accused of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses in the country when he signed a £10million-plus deal to be the Gulf State’s ambassador.
On Sunday, the 46-year-old former football star was the attraction at Formula One Grand Prix Doha. While being accompanied around by officials, he was seen hugging Qatari businessman Nasser El-Khelaifi (owner of Paris Saint-Germain soccer club) while being shown around the venue.
The ex-England captain donned a tight-fitting navy suit jacket, blue shirt and green tie as he was pictured touring the grid and Paddock and posing for pictures with F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart and winner-to-be of the event Lewis Hamilton.
After signing the Ambassador Deal with the Authoritarian State, the father of four has come under fire from human rights organizations. The deal bans homosexuality but severely limits women’s rights.
However, the most recent snaps show that he chose to ignore critics and was front-and-center among VIPs Sunday.
Beckham visited and posed for pictures with the Ferrari team and sat down for a chat with Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group.
Although he is a prolific social media user, Hamilton has not yet posted about his Middle East trip.
The former football star, 46, was the star attraction at the Formula One Grand Prix in Doha on Sunday as he was pictured hugging Qatari businessman Nasser Al-Khelaifi
As he was photographed touring Losail International Circuit, Beckham was seen wearing a navy suit with a blue shirt, green tie and blue shirt.
The father-of-four has been criticised by human rights groups after signing the ambassador deal with the authoritarian state, which bans homosexuality and severely restricts women’s rights (Pictured: Beckham at Doha Grand Prix on Sunday with (front left) Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Group, (left) FIFA president Gianni Infantino and (front right) Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Beckham takes a picture with Sir Jackie Stewart (left), and an official from Qatar before the F1 Grand Prix.
Beckham laughed while meeting Sir Jackie Stewart at the Doha Grand Prix photographed on Sunday
Beckham gave a tour to the grid just before the race. He was not among the spectators.
Beckham and Sir Jackie Stewart take a photo on the grid for the 2021 Doha Formula One Grand Prix
Sir Jackie Stewart and a Qatari official grab Beckham’s arms at Doha Grand Prix.
Beckham looked all smiles as he chatted to Sir Jackie Stewart and Qatari officials (pictured left).
Beckham was photographed touring the grounds of the event and taking pictures with Lewis Hamilton, the eventual winner.
Although he is known for being prolific on social media and posting frequently about football, the icon of football has yet to share any information regarding his Middle East travels, such as his meeting with Hamilton (pictured).
Stefano Domenicali (CEO of Formula One Group) talks to Gianni Intino and David Beckham prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar
Stefano Domenicali is the CEO of Formula One Group and talks to David Beckham at the Pitlane
Beckham watches the action from the McLaren garage during the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit
Beckham poses with Ferrari’s team for a photograph before Sunday’s F1 Grand Prix of Qatar
Beckham and Mattia Binotto, Principal of Scuderia Ferrari Team, meet in the garage prior to Sunday’s race
Beckham and Ross Brawn (Managing Director, Sporting), talk to the Paddock prior to the Formula One Group race in Doha.
Beckham shared with his 69 million fans on Friday that he completed a hard workout class. He didn’t mention where he was located.
This comes as sources tell The Mail that Beckham’s advisors used the World Cup in order to position their controversial agreement. Despite it being linked to Qatar, this is not surprising.
One responded: “It’s a lot more appealing for David to associate the contract and football and make it all about football festivals.”
Amnesty International has accused the Football Association of failing to engage with it over human rights abuses in Qatar – unlike associations in other countries.
May Romanos is Amnesty International’s Gulf researcher on migrant rights. She told BBC’s Sports Desk Podcast that she met with English FA members in March 2013 and started a conversation about the potential role of the FA during the World Cup.
“But we have not had any further engagement, unlike other FAs.”
But the FA said it was ‘categorically incorrect’ to claim there has been no dialogue since March 2020, adding: ‘We are in dialogue with Amnesty and also with FIFA, UEFA, other member associations and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.’
According to the statement, it stated that it will approach the tournament with a’socially responsible attitude’.
Gareth Southgate, England manager has stated that he would take time with his players to learn more about human rights.
Human rights activists believe that 6,500 migrants from India and Pakistan died at the hands of Qatari workers since Qatar was granted the World Cup’s hosting rights ten years back.
British paramedic who served Qatar’s Health Service for 3 years claimed that he was frequently called upon to handle dead bodies with injuries from falling or being crushed.
Beckham is escorted in the Paddock by F1 Grand Prix officials in Doha, Qatar on Sunday
Left to right: Gianni Intino, FIFA President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali (CEO of Formula One Group), Ross Brawn, Managing Director (Sporting) of Formula One Group President Jean Todt, David Beckham, during the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar
From left to right: Gianni Infantino FIFA President, Stefano Domenicali CEO of Formula One Group Ross Brawn Managing Director (Sporting), Jean Todt, FIA President, and David Beckham at the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar
Ross Brawn (Managing Director, Sporting), Formula One Group President Jean Todt, and David Beckham, walk the Paddock in front of the race
Stefano Domenicali (CEO of Formula One Group) has a conversation with Beckham at the Paddock
According to sources, The Mail was told Sunday by The Mail that Beckham’s advisors used the World Cup as a way to position his controversial deal. This despite it being linked to Qatar. (Pictured Sunday: Beckham at Doha Grand Prix).
Beckham was under pressure from Amnesty International to reconsider his agreement after a report said that treatment for migrant workers has been worsening in this country. The report also urged Beckham to bring attention to their situation (pictured at Doha Grand Prix Sunday).
Christian Horner (Red Bull Racing Team Principal) and Beckham take a picture on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar
Beckham is seen walking on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit
Beckham’s camp refused to respond to a new Amnesty report that exposes how the host country failed to investigate deaths in construction workers who worked long hours in desert heat. (Pictured at Doha Grand Prix Sunday).
Beckham is seen standing on the grid in front of the Qatari Formula One Grand Prix at Losail International Circuit. It’s located outside of Doha, the capital.
Sources at Unicef are shocked by Beckham’s multimillion-pound agreement with Qataris. (Pictured, Beckham looking out of grid of Doha Grand Prix Sunday).
Reports have suggested Beckham will be paid £150m across the next 10 years in his deal with Qatar (Pictured: Beckham looks on from grid at Doha Grand Prix)
Doha, Qatari capital of Doha was lit by drones in the form of a footballer to begin the countdown of the days until the controversial World Cup hosting.
Drones show that there are still 365 days to go before Qatar becomes the first Middle Eastern country hosting the World Cup in Qatar next year.
By drones flying over Doha, Qatari capital of Doha, 365 Days To Go was written in Arabic
Qatar 2022 was written by drones from Doha. This is the Gulf State’s countdown for next year’s World Cup.
Over Doha, Qatari capital of Doha, drones light up the sky like a football.
He claimed that police officers would say “It’s an assault or heart failure or a collapsing” when the truth was it wasn’t.
Beckham was under pressure from Amnesty International to reconsider his contract after a report that stated how the country’s treatment of migrants has declined and urged him not to ignore their suffering.
Beckham’s camp refused to comment on this report. It exposes how the host country failed to investigate deaths among construction workers who worked long hours in desert heat.
Doha has sent drones up in the sky on Sunday night, to mark the start of the World Cup.
Unicef senior sources, which has been an integral part of Beckham’s charitable work for fifteen years, said that they were ‘dismayed” to learn about Beckham’s signing a multimillion-pound contract with the Qataris.
Reports have suggested Beckham will be paid £150m across the next 10 years.
Amnesty stated that he would use his position in order to “keep the focus of the world on the human rights concerns surrounding the matches” at the World Cup next year.
“David Beckham is a world-renowned figure that offers great opportunities to raise awareness of human rights problems in Qatar,” said the organization.
His decision to speak out would require a total U turn.
During his 2019 visit to Pakistan, he stated that the country’s leader Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was a friend.
Beckham stated that Beckham was expressing his desire for a World Cup. It’s about feeling happy and being able to get there.