Sir Rod Stewart has disclosed that he turned down a $1 million contract to play in Qatar.
In a recent interview, the artist, 77, revealed he’d been requested to give a gig in the country in 2021 while discussing the upcoming World Cup.
“I was actually offered a lot of money, over $1m, to play there 15 months ago,” he said.
“I turned it down. It’s not right to go. And the Iranians should be out too for supplying arms.”
The Do Ya Think I’m Sexy rocker’s remarks come after pop diva Dua Lipa denied rumors that she will perform at the World Cup.
After reports linking her to the Qatar event, Lipa said on Instagram: “There is currently a lot of speculation that I will be performing at the opening ceremony of the World Cup in Qatar.
“I will not be performing and nor have I ever been involved in any negotiation to perform.
“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.
“One love, Dua.”
While Lipa and Stewart have declined hefty offers to perform in the Arab country, David Beckham has not.
After accepting a reported £10 million offer to be a World Cup ambassador for a nation where homosexuality is outlawed, the former England star sparked outrage.
Beckham was formerly seen as a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
Similar criticism has been leveled at Robbie Williams’ choice to play in Qatar in December.
“I’m astonished at Robbie,” stated TV host Paul O’Grady. I couldn’t get there with money.”
The treatment of the LGBTQ+ population in Qatar has become a source of worry for World Cup spectators.
Many people have expressed concern about their safety during the global football spectacle, which begins on November 20 in Doha.