Anger at Robbie’s plan to play Qatar
ROBBIE Williams is set to appear at a concert during the World Cup in Qatar – sparking condemnation from fans due to the Gulf state’s appalling human rights record.
Both the singer and band Maroon 5 are set to perform at Doha Golf Club on December 8, ten days before the final.
Organisers Qatar Live, thought to be connected to the Qatari government, are understood to be paying Williams, who is reportedly worth more than £200 million. The government restricts women’s rights and bans homosexuality.
The singer, 48, is a supporter of the LGBTQ community and has appeared on the cover of gay magazine Attitude. He has not commented but has been criticised by fans. One wrote on social media: ‘Sorry but the Qatar World Cup is wrong on many levels and I am disappointed that Robbie feels it is acceptable to blatantly support it.’
Williams was previously accused of selling out by performing at the opening ceremony of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Qatar has faced scrutiny over the conditions imposed on hundreds of thousands of migrant workers since the country was named as World Cup host 12 years ago. Last year, The Mail on Sunday revealed that David Beckham signed a deal to be paid £10 million to be the face of Qatar World Cup.
Beckham’s former teammate Gary Neville will also be paid by the Qataris despite condemning the way migrant workers were treated. He will appear on the country’s state-run channel beIN Sports which has also added former Chelsea captain John Terry and exManchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel to the line-up.