FIFA World Cup: These Celebrities Spoke Out Against Qatar Ahead Of Soccer Event

The FIFA World Cup is set to begin this Sunday. However, many celebrities are criticizing – some even boycotting – the event, raising concerns about host Qatar's human rights record.

The latest to join the bandwagon was British comedian Joe Lycett. He urged David Beckham to turn away from his role as ambassador for the Qatar World Cup to show support for the LGBT community. Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and people involved in same-sex relationships could face legal challenges, including the death penalty.

"You were the first premiership footballer to do shoots with gay magazines like Attitude, to speak openly about your gay fans, and you married a Spice Girl which is the gayest thing a human being can do," Lycett said in a video shared on Twitter.

Lycett urged the 47-year-old former soccer player to walk away from his £10 million ($11.7 million) deal in protest against Qatar's human rights violations. He also promised to donate the same amount to charities that support queer people in soccer.

"However, if you do not, at midday next Sunday, I will throw this money into a shredder just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it live on a website I've registered called BendersLikeBeckham.com," Lycett said.

Australian soccer player Josh Cavallo had previously called out Beckham.

"Take that David Beckham!," the gay soccer player said as he accepted the Man of the Year trophy at the Attitude Awards on Sunday. "Qatar, FIFA: the world is watching. Do you see us? I vow to stand up for the LGBTQ athletes and the fans at the World Cup in Qatar."

Spice Girl vocalist Melanie C criticized the decision to hold World Cup in Qatar in an interview in October.

"It's greed. They can try and spin it that they're there to make change, but it's bulls**t – it's about money. Obviously, I'm a huge England supporter, whatever the gender," Melanie told Attitude U.K. "But it's hard to get fully behind it when you know where the money's coming from."

Dua Lipa last week denied rumors that she would perform at the World Cup and said, "I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human-rights pledges it made when it won the right to host the World Cup."

Rod Stewart on Sunday revealed he had turned down a huge paycheck to perform at the grand event.

"I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1m, to play there 15 months ago. I turned it down. It's not right to go. And the Iranians should be out too for supplying arms," Stewart told The Sunday Times.

British journalist Ian Hislop also called out broadcaster Gary Neville for accepting the role of a commentator for the World Cup.