Star Wars actor accused of selling out
STAR WARS actor John Boyega has been accused of ‘putting money before principles’ after signing a deal – said to be worth seven figures – to promote Lay’s crisps during the World Cup.
The British star, a vocal supporter of Black Lives Matter (BLM), faces claims that he is ‘colluding’ with ‘a racist regime’.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who was arrested last
month after staging the first-ever LGBT protest in Qatar, has condemned Boyega’s move.
He said: ‘Qatar is buying celebrity endorsements to boost its international reputation and detract from criticisms of its discriminatory policies towards women, LGBT+ people and migrant workers.
‘I’m stunned that John Boyega is colluding with this racist regime, which abuses workers from India, Bangladesh and Nepal in ways it would never dare do to its own citizens.’
He added: ‘Boyega joins a long list of western A-listers putting money before principles and human rights. They are colluding with a dictatorship and giving a slap in the face to the victims of its tyranny.’
Reports have said that 6,500 migrant workers involved in building the tournament’s infrastructure have died since Qatar won the right to host the tournament in 2010.