David Beckham is joined by best pal Dave Gardner at England v Iran match after meeting fans – amid controversy over his £10m Qatar World Cup deal
- Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results
David Beckham cut a dapper figure while joined by Dave Gardner at the England v Iran match during the Qatar World Cup on Monday.
The former footballer, 47, looked suave in a navy suit and white shirt as he prepared to watch the game alongside his sports agent pal, 46, at Khalifa International Stadium, Doha.
Earlier in the day, he took to Instagram to share some heartwarming snaps of his morning spent with England fans ahead of the opening match.
It follows controversy surrounding his reported £10 million promotional deal with the tournament’s organisers.
Spectators: David Beckham (right) was joined by best pal Dave Gardner (left) at the England v Iran match on Monday after meeting fans – amid controversy over his £10m Qatar World Cup deal
He wrote: ‘A special morning spent with the @england fans reliving some great memories ahead of the big game.
‘I’m so excited for Gareth and the team…good luck boys the whole country is behind you.’
England’s wonderkids Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka and tournament veteran Raheem Sterling helped the Three Lions take a 4-0 lead over Iran during a superb first half in their opening match of the World Cup this afternoon.
The Birmingham-born Borussia Dortmund wonderkid, 19, sent thousands of fans in the stadium wild – and millions at home – as he rose to nod it home after a cross from Manchester United’s Luke Shaw. He made history as he became the second teenager in history to score in a World Cup for England, after Michael Owen in 1998.
Busy day: Earlier on, he took to Instagram to share some heartwarming snaps of his morning spent with England fans ahead of the opening match
And minutes later Saka, 21, smashed home a left foot shot off the crossbar. And then Sterling, 27, blasted in a volley following a cross from captain Harry Kane, effectively winning the game before half time. Saka then grabbed a fourth with an hour on the clock.
The Three Lions were also denied a clear penalty just three minutes into the game, when Harry Maguire was clearly dragged down in the box. Maguire then headed against the crossbar.
Thousands of Three Lions supporters are in the Khalifa Stadium in Doha including the WAGs of the players and David Beckham while millions are watching at home, work or in pubs with high streets across the UK deserted as people settled down for the 1pm match.
Having fun: He wrote: ‘A special morning spent with the @england fans reliving some great memories ahead of the big game’
England took the knee as they started their first World Cup campaign against Iran in one of the most politically-charged matches in English football history after a row over wearing a rainbow captain’s armband for Harry Kane, which was dropped after pressure from FIFA.
Kane looked serious as he led the team on to the pitch. The England captain did not wear the ‘OneLove’ rainbow armband after the threat of a yellow card proved too much of a risk for the FA. Alan Shearer said today that Kane had been put in an impossible position ahead of one of the biggest games of his career, but added that he would probably have worn the armband himself.
Kane was wearing the official FIFA ‘No Discrimination’ armband, having removed his England jacket following the national anthems. Loud whistles greeted the Iranian anthem, with the whole Iran team opting not to sing.
Chatting: Dave (centre-left) and David (centre-right) made conversation with other attendees and staff
Getting busy: The stand later filled up with audience members
Kind: David greeted a fan as he made his way into the stadium with Dave
The entire England team then took the knee and Harry Kane appeared to raise his fist – but the Iranians did not take part.
Before the goals rained in, England fans were furious by the failure to award the Three Lions a penalty just three minutes into their World Cup opener.
England had an early corner which was taken by Kieran Trippier and Harry Maguire appeared to be dragged down by Iranian defender Roozbeh Cheshmi.
Shortly afterwards the match was stopped for 10 minutes after a head injury to Iran’s goalkeeper, who was replaced. Maguire then hit the crossbar with a header as England dominated.
Uh-oh: It follows controversy surrounding his reported £10 million promotional deal with the tournament’s organisers
Bellingham would go one better shortly afterwards, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder looping a header home from Luke Shaw’s cross to break the deadlock 10 minutes before the interval.
Saka would double the lead before the break, thrashing home a fine volley from a Maguire header down to banish his penalty miss of last summer.
With the fourth official signalling 14 minutes of added time, England grabbed their third through Raheem Sterling, who finished Kane’s cross after some great build-up from Southgate’s side.
It follows controversy surrounding David’s reported £10 million promotional deal with the tournament’s organisers.
The former England captain was pictured in the stands watching on during the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Al Bayt stadium on Sunday.
Stunt: Comedian Joe livestreamed himself ‘shredding £10,000’ after David failed to pull out of his £10million World Cup deal
It is believed Becks remained in the stands to watch the match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador which officially kicks off the tournament.
Beckham’s attendance comes as comedian Joe Lycett livestreamed himself ‘shredding £10,000’ destined for charity after the footballer failed to pull out of his lucrative World Cup promotional deal.
Comedian Joe, 34, has openly spoken about being queer and advocated for LGBTQ+ rights.
The comic issued an ultimatum to Beckham after it was reported he had signed a £10 million deal with the FIFA World Cup hosts despite the nation’s highly questionably human rights record.
Homosexuality remains illegal in the Gulf state and anyone found participating in same-sex sexual activity can be punished with up to seven years in prison.
David uncharacteristically slipped out the stadium after the opening match.
The former England captain, who is known to love the camera, avoided photographers as he left in a limousine with blacked out windows.
He had watched his paymasters Qatar lose to Ecuador from a hospitality box, and had also entered the stadium through a VIP entrance, barely noticed, and keeping a low profile.
Despite other VIPs being shown on the large stadium screens, Beckham was not filmed.
He had flown into Doha as a guest of the World Cup and had been signed to help publicise the state’s World Cup messages.
Controversial: The comic issued an ultimatum to the former England footballer David Beckham (pictured in November 2021) after it was reported he had signed a £10 million deal with the FIFA World Cup hosts
Source: Read Full Article