Sir Rod Stewart reveals he turned down $1,000,000 to play in Qatar last year as it didn’t feel ‘right’-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

The music icon turned down a hefty sum (Picture: Getty)

Sir Rod Stewart has revealed he previously turned down a hefty paycheque to perform in Qatar.

The musician, 77, weighed in on the country hosting the 2022 World Cup, a move that has attracted a great deal of criticism due to their human rights issues.

Homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and punishable by imprisonment, while treatment of local workers has also been scrutinised.

Offering his take, Sir Rod shared that it wasn’t ‘right’ to take to the stage in Qatar when asked last year.

He told The Sunday Times: ‘I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1million (£845,000), 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,’ he added.

Sir Rod doesn’t believe it’s ‘right’ to accept money to perform in Qatar (Picture: Getty)

On the safety of football fans during the World Cup later this month, he also said: ‘Tell you what, supporters have got to watch out, haven’t they?’

When the interviewer proposed he could’ve played his tune The Killing of Georgie, which he wrote about the murder of a gay friend in the 1970s, at the opening ceremony as a protest, Sir Rod replied: ‘That would have been good.’

Sir Rod isn’t the only star taking a stand and vocalising their concerns regarding human rights in Qatar.

Future Nostalgia hitmaker Dua Lipa has also quashed rumours that she would be performing during the World Cup, stating that she was ‘never involved’ in negotation to perform.

The World Cup kicks off in Qatar next week (Picture: PA)

Despite her smash hit One Kiss becoming somewhat of a football anthem, she’s waiting for the situation to improve before she jets over.

‘I will be cheering England on from afar and 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 wrote on her Instagram Story.

Alongside Dua, other favourites for the opening performance included K-pop band BTS – with Jungkook now announced as a headliner – and World Cup regular Shakira.

Former Take That star Robbie Williams has been criticised since it was announced that he’ll perform at the Doha Golf Club on December 8, 10 days before the World Cup final, as part of the Qatar Live series of concerts.

Dua Lipa denied reports that she’ll be performing at the event (Picture: Getty)

Paul O’Grady was one of the public figures vocalising their views, admitting he’s ‘surprised’ at Robbie.

‘There’ll be a backlash by the LGBTQ community if he does perform. No amount of money would get me there,’ the comedian said.

However, someone who has publicly declared their love for Qatar as a host is David Beckham.

Comedian Joe Lycett has since called out the former Manchester United player for pocketing Qatari cash, and called for him to donate his fee.

Labelling Becks a ‘gay icon’, Joe threatened to shred £10k of his own money unless the footie legend revokes his Qatar ambassadorship.

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‘If you end your relationship with Qatar, I will donate ten grand of my own money (that’s a grand for every million you’re reportedly getting) to charities that support queer people in football,’ he said in a video message.

‘However, if you do not, I will throw the money into a shredder at midday next Sunday, just before the opening ceremony of the World Cup and stream it right here. Not just the money, but also your status as gay icon will be shredded.’

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