How much money did Rod Stewart turn down to perform at World Cup 2022 in Qatar?
Amid criticism of the FIFA World Cup, singer Rod Stewart has revealed that he turned down a million-dollar amount to perform in Qatar.
Since the day Qatar was named the host of the 2022 FIFA Soccer World Cup they have been criticized, scrutinized and surrounded by allegations of corruption, in addition to human rights violations.
The controversy surrounding Qatar stem from its systemic discrimination against women and the LGBTQ+ community, on top of the reported deaths of several migrant workers who helped build the World Cup stadiums around Qatar.
With the World Cup less than a week away, Rod Stewart told reporters that he had a million dollar offer to perform during the tournament, but turned it down.
Rod Stewart lets Qatar offer go Sailing
In an interview with the Sunday Times, Stewart said:”I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1 million, to perform there 15 months ago. I turned it down. It’s not okay to go. And the Iranians should also be out for supplying weapons.”
Rod Stewart turned down "over $1 million" to play at the FIFA World Cup's opening ceremony in protest of poor human rights conditions in its host country, Qatar. https://t.co/YaAYpW8y4o pic.twitter.com/rMuSVPEcXC
— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) November 14, 2022
Stewart’s comments came shortly after fans criticized David Beckham for signing on as Qatar’s World Cup ambassador along side British comedian Joe Lycett.
Dua Lipa denies negotiations to perform in World Cup
Following a spate of rumors that Dua Lipa would be performing at this year’s World Cup in Qatar, the ‘Levitating’ artist broke her silence via an Instagram story to clarify the situation.
“I will not be performing and nor have I ever been involved in any negotiation to perform.” the singer wrote. 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,” she added.
Dua Lipa Insta on Qatar: “I will not be performing & nor have I ever been involved in any negotiation to perform. I will be cheering England on from afar & I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights pledges it made when it won the right to host” pic.twitter.com/7oxOmXXSMv
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) November 13, 2022
In a recent interview with CNN, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said that the 2022 World Cup “will be an inclusive and safe tournament” and said that “everyone is welcome, regardless of race, origin, religion, gender, orientation, or nationality.”