David Beckham is branded a ‘hypocrite’ by Earthshot Prize viewers

David Beckham came under fire when he appeared in the US city of Boston to present an award at the Earthshot Prize ceremony on Sunday night after traveling from Qatar.

The retired footballer, 47, was in the Middle East for the World Cup but flew to the United States to present a £1 million prize at Build a Waste-Free World.

And, while the jock was greeted with enthusiastic applause when he took the stage, viewers at home were less impressed when he appeared on their television screens, with many calling him ‘hypocritical’.

After the cheers from the audience died down, he opened his speech: ‘Good evening, everyone. I was honored to be asked by Prince William to be part of this year’s Earthshot Prize.

‘Now, I’m optimistic that humans are capable of great creativity when we collaborate.

‘We create beauty in art, music, film and, of course, sport. We create things that bring us comfort in this challenging world.

Jet setter: The retired footballer, 47, has been to the Middle East for the World Cup but flew to America to present a £1m prize at Build a Waste-Free World

‘But, we also generate waste. We manufacture more than 300 million tons of plastic a year. That’s the equivalent, by weight, of all the adults on Earth.

He praised the ‘incredible’ work of the finalists before announcing that sustainable packaging start-up Notpla was the winner in the Build a Waste-Free World category.

Noting that David is a World Cup ambassador for Qatar, one Twitter user said he shouldn’t be “anywhere near” Boston, which is more than 6,380 miles away from Qatar.

“David Beckham shouldn’t be anywhere near this, he is literally the World Cup ambassador with the largest carbon footprint in history, an absolute hypocrite,” they wrote.

Questioning David’s trip, another person asked: “Correct me if I’m wrong, but because of the Earth thing, Beckham flew from Qatar to Boston to present an award to a winner, who was not allowed to attend because of the environmental impact. – and now you will fly back to Qatar to continue your defense of the Qataris?’

Praising Notpla on his win, another Twitter user wrote: ‘Well done guys and very well deserved. It’s a shame that David Beckham, ambassador to one of the most oppressive and climate-destroying countries on the planet, flew across the globe to announce it while you all stayed at home. He probably returned to Qatar 12 hours later.

Opinion: While David was greeted with applause, viewers at home were less impressed when he appeared on their television screens, with many calling him a “hypocrite.”

While someone else posted: “Just waking up to the fact that the Earthshot Award winners were asked to virtually attend the ceremony while royalty and celebrities flew in to be there in person (don’t even get me started David Beckham flying in from Qatar). Make it make sense! Like what?!’

Another person wrote: ‘It was completely wasteful. David Beckham flew in from Qatar to present an award for which the winner wasn’t even there. You hypocrites!

David was in Qatar to attend several of England’s matches during the 2022 World Cup, following his controversial £10m deal to be the Middle Eastern nation’s ambassador.

VIP: David met Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales backstage after the 2022 Earthshot Award at MGM Music Hall

David previously flew home from Qatar to attend his wife Victoria’s work Christmas party in London.

The sportsman has gotten into trouble in recent months for refusing to back down from his £10m World Cup deal in Qatar amid anger over human rights and LGBTQ+ issues.

David has come under fire for his £10m World Cup contract in Qatar.

FIFA’s decision to hold the World Cup in Qatar has been surrounded by controversy, particularly in relation to migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community.

David hasn’t spoken out about the country’s oppressive laws despite warnings about human rights abuses and an abysmal record on LGBTQ+ issues.

The Earthshot Award, and its accompanying television broadcast, claims to be one of the greenest televised events in history.

Good intentions: The Earthshot Prize, and its accompanying television broadcast, aims to be one of the greenest televised events ever.