12 January 2023 , 12:56
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Legendary Manchester United forward Erik Cantona has claimed that he ‘can’t see’ a valid reason behind David Beckham ’s controversial role in the Qatar World Cup.
The former England captain was appointed as an ambassador for the tournament in the Middle East, earning millions in the process. The role was widely criticised due to the poor human rights record in the country, as well as their treatment of the LGBT+ community.
Comedian Joe Lycett sent repeated pleas to Beckham and his entourage regarding the position during a television stunt in which he threatened to shred £10,000 in cash. Cantona was another high-profile critic and claimed that he would never have made such a “big, big mistake” of accepting such a role.
Speaking last September, the Frenchman said: “I would not do it at all. I do completely the opposite. In January 2022, I started to say that.
"Maybe I was the first one. But I am free to do it. And of course, an ex-player paid to do this kind of thing…It could be they don’t know what has happened there. Or, if they know it, I think they did wrong. I think they made a big mistake. A big, big mistake.”
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The now 56-year-old has since doubled down on that claim by suggesting that he can’t see a valid reason behind Beckham’s decision to accept his lucrative ambassadorial role besides money. As quoted by The Times, he said: “If he really believes he [Beckham] has to do that promotion for the right reasons — I don’t know what the right reasons are — that is OK.
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“But if it is only for money, it’s completely different. You have to ask him why he did it. Maybe he has a good argument, but I can’t see one.”
Beckham himself has never spoken out on the role itself and the reasons for his acceptance but a spokesperson for the 115-time England international did issue a statement in the aftermath of Lycett’s stunt.
“David has been involved in a number of World Cups and other major international tournaments both as a player and an ambassador and he has always believed that sport has the power to be a force for good in the world,” they said.
"Football, the most popular sport globally, has a genuine ability to bring people together and make a real contribution to communities.
"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.
"We hope that these conversations will lead to greater understanding and empathy towards all people and that progress will be achieved.”