PRESSURE ON ROBBIE OVER QATAR GIG
Sir Rod reveals he refused to play $1m show in Gulf state
PRESSURE is mounting on Robbie Williams as it emerged two superstars have refused to perform in Qatar.
Dua Lipa has this week denied reports that she will perform at the World Cup opening ceremony on Sunday, while Sir Rod Stewart revealed he had turned down an offer to play there last year.
The Sentinel reported that the Angels singer – who appeared at the previous opening ceremony in Russia – has been condemned for his decision to perform by fans critical of the Gulf state’s human rights record.
And Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley also took aim at the city-born star for choosing to play in Qatar ‘for the money’.
But today Robbie’s team were still remaining tight-lipped on the 48-year-old’s upcoming performance when contacted by The Sentinel.
The decision by FIFA to hold the World Cup in Qatar has been dogged with controversy, owing to Qatar’s human rights record, particularly in relation to migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar, with ‘offenders’ facing fines and up to seven years’ imprisonment.
But at a press conference in Doha last month, official World Cup partner Qatar Airways announced Robbie – who played at the opening ceremony of the 2018 World Cup in Russia – would be one of several big acts playing at the Qatar Live series of concerts.
And a national newspaper this week reported Robbie will play at the opening ceremony.
Tickets are now on sale for Robbie’s performance at Doha Golf Club on December 8, 10 days before the World Cup final.
Gigs by Maroon 5 and Post Malone at the same venue in the same week were announced, while DJ Calvin Harris and singers Craig David and Tinie Tempah are also all performing at events during the World Cup.
However Dua Lipa posted on Instagram on Sunday: “There is currently a lot of speculation that I will be performing at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Qatar.
“I will not be performing and nor have I ever been involved in any negotiation to perform. I will be cheering England on from afar... One love, Dua.”
And Sir Rod Stewart told The Sunday Times it wasn’t ‘right to go’ to Qatar, despite being offered more than $1million to perform.
He said: “I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1million, to play there 15 months ago. I turned it down. It’s not right to go.”
The Sentinel has repeatedly contacted Robbie Williams’s team about his performance in Qatar but they have so far failed to respond to requests for comment.