Beckham urged to quit World Cup deal

DAVID BECKHAM is coming under increased pressure to reverse his decision to be a face of the Qatar World Cup. An Amnesty International report says the treatment of migrant workers in the country has deteriorated — and have urged him to call out their plight. Beckham’s camp declined to comment on the report, one year out from the tournament kick-off, which exposed the host nation’s failure to investigate the deaths of construction workers after long shifts in blistering desert heat. Due in Doha this weekend for the Qatar Grand Prix, he faces uncomfortable questions when he starts promoting the tournament. Senior sources at UNICEF, a key part of his charity work for 15 years, have already indicated they are ‘dismayed’ by him signing a multi-million pound deal with the Qataris. Amnesty said Beckham should use his position to ‘keep the world’s focus on human rights issues surrounding the matches’ at the World Cup. They said: ‘David Beckham has a unique worldwide profile which offers wide opportunities to highlight human rights issues in Qatar.’ During a trip to the country in 2019, Beckham lavished praise on Qatar. He said of the country’s leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the time: ‘I’ve grown to be friends with His Highness. I think for me it’s what you want in a World Cup. You want to arrive somewhere and feel happy.’ Amnesty’s UK chief executive Sacha Deshmukh said: ‘The FA is part of the UEFA Working Group on Workers’ Rights in Qatar and can press the Doha authorities over strengthening migrant worker protections, investigating worker deaths and helping fashion a tournament with a positive legacy.’ An FA spokesman said: ‘We believe there is evidence of substantial progress being made by Qatar in relation to workers’ rights, but we recognise there is still more to be done.’ The Qatari Government did not respond to a request for comment.