A hospitality suite which will host wealthy spectators at this winter’s FIFA World Cup has reportedly sold for an astonishing £2.1million.
The suites are run by Match Hospitality – which runs luxury hospitality at F1 events – and the firm revealed the lounges at the Qatar World Cup will be divided into five categories.
And The Metro now claim after changing hands through hospitality packages for several months – the large private box has now sold for the eye-watering figure.
The report claims 44 people will be entertained in the luxurious settings – which are located at the Lusail Stadium – this winter as 32 teams aim for the ultimate prize in football.
It comes just days after Amnesty International led the backlash against David Beckham for offering gushing praise about Qatar in a promotional video ahead of the tournament.
The former England star described the Middle Eastern country as ‘perfection’ – even though it remains illegal to be gay and women still need permission to study or marry in the Gulf state – ahead of the World Cup this winter.
In a video set against the backdrop of Qatar’s capital city Doha, the 47-year-old – who is an ambassador for the United Nations children’s charity, UNICEF, and says he identifies as a feminist – said the country was an ‘incredible place to spend a few days’ as he unveiled his £10m deal to be the face of the Islamic nation’s tourism industry.
Beckham is seen sailing on a boat, riding a motorbike and visiting a spice market before taking selfies with locals, visiting a bazaar and sitting down for food with a group of men dressed in traditional Arab clothing.
In a voiceover to the video, the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star tells viewers that he cannot wait to bring his children to the country, adding: ‘Qatar really is an incredible place to spend a few days on a stopover. The modern and traditional fuse create something really special.
‘It’s one of the best spice markets that I have ever been to. This will go down as one of my favourite mornings. This is perfection, I cannot wait to bring my children back.’
The video sparked a furious backlash led by human rights campaigners Amnesty International. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, its UK branch accused Beckham of failing ‘yet again’ to mention the country’s ‘appalling’ treatment of minorities and migrant workers – and urged the former England captain to use his ‘global fame and status’ to help bring the country to account.
Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK’s Head of Priority Campaigns, said: ‘This is just the latest slick and positive video about Qatar that David Beckham has put his face to, and yet again there’s no mention of the county’s appalling human rights record.
‘Beckham’s global fame and status are PR gold for Qatar’s image, but he should be using that same unique profile to call on FIFA and the Qatari authorities to properly remedy the terrible abuses that tens of thousands of migrant workers have faced in building the infrastructure to deliver the World Cup.
‘Beckham has said he hoped football would prove a force for good in Qatar. At the moment it seems his involvement is good news for Qatar’s tourist industry, not for human rights.’
The hospitality suites meanwhile have an order of prestige, namely Pearl Lounge, Private Suite, Business Seat, Pavilion and Club.
Highlights of the lounges, all pictured below in renderings, include six-course meals, live chef stations, bespoke cocktails and ‘lavish’ decor – plus the best views in the house.
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