David Beckham has been pictured schmoozing officials in Qatar after being accused of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses in the country when he signed a £10million-plus deal to be the Gulf State's ambassador.
The former football star, 46, was the star attraction at the Formula One Grand Prix in Doha on Sunday as he was pictured hugging Qatari businessman Nasser Al-Khelaifi - owner of the Paris Saint-Germain football club - while being guided around the site by officials.
The ex-England captain donned a tight-fitting navy suit jacket, blue shirt and green tie as he was pictured touring the grid and Paddock and posing for pictures with F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart and winner-to-be of the event Lewis Hamilton.
The father-of-four has been criticised by human rights groups after signing the ambassador deal with the authoritarian state, which bans homosexuality and severely restricts women's rights.
But the latest snaps suggest he has chosen to ignore the critics as he appeared front and centre among VIPs on Sunday.
Beckham visited and posed for pictures with the Ferrari team and sat down for a chat with Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group.
But while usually prolific on social media, the football icon has yet to post about his Middle East visit, including his meeting with Hamilton.
The former football star, 46, was the star attraction at the Formula One Grand Prix in Doha on Sunday as he was pictured hugging Qatari businessman Nasser Al-Khelaifi
The ex-England captain donned a tight-fitting navy suit, blue shirt and green tie as he was pictured touring the event grounds and posing for pictures (Pictured: Beckham hugs Nasser Al-Khelaifi before the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit on Sunday)
The father-of-four has been criticised by human rights groups after signing the ambassador deal with the authoritarian state, which bans homosexuality and severely restricts women's rights (Pictured: Beckham at Doha Grand Prix on Sunday with (front left) Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Group, (left) FIFA president Gianni Infantino and (front right) Nasser Al-Khelaifi
Beckham poses for picture with Sir Jackie Stewart (left) and a Qatari official on the grid before the F1 Grand Prix
Beckham pictured laughing while meeting with Sir Jackie Stewart during photographed visit to Doha Grand Prix on Sunday
Beckham made a tour of the grid before the race but was not seen among the spectators during the event (Pictured with Sir Jackie Stewart and Qatari official)
Sir Jackie Stewart and Beckham pose for a pic on the grid of the 2021 Doha Formula One Grand Prix
Sir Jackie Stewart grabs Beckham's arms during a meeting at Doha Grand Prix on Sunday alongside Qatari official
Beckham was all smiles while chatting to Sir Jackie Stewart (pictured left) and Qatari official (pictured right) on Sunday
Beckham was pictured touring the event grounds and posing for pictures with winner-to-be of the event Lewis Hamilton
Usually prolific on social media, the football icon has yet to post about his Middle East visit, including his meeting with Hamilton (pictured)
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group, talks with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and David Beckham before the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar
Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group, talks with David Beckham in the Pitlane
Beckham watches the action from the McLaren garage during the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Losail International Circuit
Beckham poses for a photo with the Ferrari team before the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar on Sunday
Beckham meets Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto in the garage before Sunday's race
Beckham and Ross Brawn, Managing Director (Sporting) of the Formula One Group, talk in the Paddock before the race in Doha on Sunday
On Friday, Beckham told his 69 million followers he had completed a gruelling exercise class, but without specifying his location.
It comes after sources told The Mail on Sunday that Beckham's advisers have used the World Cup to 'position' his controversial deal as about celebrating football, despite it being tied to promoting Qatar.
One said: 'It all seems a little more palatable for David to associate the contract with football and make it all about a festival of football.'
Amnesty International has accused the Football Association of failing to engage with it over human rights abuses in Qatar – unlike associations in other countries.
May Romanos, Amnesty International's Gulf researcher for migrant rights, told the BBC's Sports Desk podcast: 'We had a meeting with the English FA in March last year, where we started the conversation around the role they could play in the lead-up to this World Cup.
'But we haven't had any further engagement with them, unlike other FAs.'
But the FA said it was 'categorically incorrect' to claim there has been no dialogue since March 2020, adding: 'We are in dialogue with Amnesty and also
