Comedian Joe Lycett has publicly urged David Beckham to drop his £10 million partnership with the World Cup in Qatar - where homosexuality is illegal.
Joe, 34, has threatened to shred a whopping £10,000 if Beckham fails to drop the controversial deal.
Over the years the footballer, 47, has become a gay icon, becoming one of the first sports stars to pose for gay magazines such as Attitude.
David has also cultivated a gay fanbase, supported gay charities and married a Spice Girl which Joe said was ‘the gayest thing you can do’.
Amid the controversy, the much-loved comic has offered to donate £10,000 of his own money to LGBTQ+ charities if David ends his sponsorship deal before the World Cup starts on November 20.
If David fails to drop his contract and goes ahead with the £10 million partnership, Joe revealed he will shred the money on the morning on the opening day of the tournament.
In a message posted on his social media accounts and new website benderslikebeckham.com, Joe told fans: “This is a message to David Beckham.
“I consider you, along with Kim Woodburn and Monty Don, to be a gay icon.
“You were the first Premiership footballer to do shoots with gay magazines like Attitude, to speak openly about your gay fans – and you married a Spice Girl, which is the gayest thing a human being can do.
“But now it’s 2022 and you’ve signed a reported £10million deal with Qatar to be their ambassador during the FIFA World Cup.”
Explaining why he is so against this, Joe continued: “Qatar was voted as one of the worst places in the world to be gay – homosexuality is illegal, punishable by imprisonment, and if you’re Muslim, possibly even death.
“You have always talked about the power of football as a force for good, which suggests to me you have never seen West Brom.
“But generally I agree – so with that in mind, I’m giving you a choice. If you end your relationship with Qatar I will donate ten grand of my own money (that’s a grand for every million you’re reportedly getting) to charities that support queer people in football.
“However, if you do not I will throw the money into a shredder at midday next Sunday, just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it right here. Not just the money, but also your status as a gay icon will be shredded.”
Joe added: “Also, you’ll be forcing me to commit what might be a crime. Although even then, I reckon I’ll get off more lightly than I would if I got caught whacking off a lad in Doha."
He ended the post: “The choice is yours. I look forward to hearing from you.”
David previously admitted that he was 'very honoured to have the tag of gay icon'
Having a combined fortune of £450million with wife Victoria means he also doesn’t really need the money.
Fans are now eagerly awaiting David's decision, as they hope the football icon will drop the partnership deal out of principle.
