Dermot O’Leary ‘despairing’ over rainbow clothing U-turn at World Cup: ‘The whole thing has been a farce’-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Dermot O’Leary has launched into a scathing attack on the World Cup 2022, branding the event a ‘farce’.

Fifa’s decision to host the games in Qatar has been widely condemned over the country’s human rights issues and strict laws around homosexuality.

The latest controversy has been the confiscating of rainbow-coloured bucket hats and flags, a nod to the LGBTQ+ community, in the stadium during the match between Wales and the US.

Earlier today, The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said the governing body had U-turned on the decision, confirming fans will be allowed them for the clash with Iran.

Reflecting on the event on Friday’s This Morning, host Dermot O’Leary said: ‘This whole thing has been one farce after another, one PR disaster after another.’

Referring to the banning of the rainbow-coloured clothing, the 49-year-old said: ‘As a football fan I’m scratching my head about the whole thing, I’m despairing.’

Dermot said the World Cup was ‘one PR disaster after another’ (Picture: ITV)

Joe Lycett has also been highly critical of the World Cup, and David Beckham’s multi-million-pound deal to be an ambassador for Qatar.

The comedian offered to donate £10,000 of his own money to LGBTQ+ charities if Beckham ended the sponsorship before the tournament started, and if not, he said he would livestream himself shredding the money along with Beckham’s ‘status as gay icon’.

Dermot has been horrified over the handling of the World Cup (Picture: ITV)

The 34-year-old appeared to stand by his decision in a video shared on the same day as the opening game, but later revealed he did not actually shred the money and had donated it instead.

Will Young has also urged Beckham to make an annual financial donation to help LGBTQIA+ charities, saying he was ‘disappointed’ in his involvement in the Qatar World Cup.

He wrote: ‘Qatar is of course not the only country in the world with appalling records on human rights. The argument that sport is not political is duplicitous and two-faced.

Germany’s supporters wearing a rainbow jersey wait for the World Cup (Picture: AP)

‘What is undoubtedly clear however is a star like you @davidbeckham who I once sang for (not for any money I hasten to add) at your birthday has disappointed me more than I can say.

‘Our paths crossed a fair few times due to being with 19 Management and you were always friendly and generous. People do things for money, we all know that.

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‘Here is what irks me the most – not a WHISPER from yourself David to show solidarity, not a WHISPER from yourself to show support for the practical massacre of migrant workers, not a WHISPER David to help LGBTQIA+ communities living under constant danger.

This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.

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