Rod Stewart says he turned down more than R$5 million to sing in Qatar during the World Cup

Sao Paulo

Rod Stewart, 77, said he refused a fee of more than US$ 1 million (R$ 5.33 million in current exchange) to make a presentation in Qatar during the World Cup, which starts next Sunday (20). The British singer pointed out that the decision was made for moral reasons.

“They offered me a lot of money, over $1 million, to play there fifteen months ago. I turned it down,” he said in an interview with The Sunday Times. According to him, “it’s not right to go” to the Middle Eastern country, which has received many questions regarding the way it deals with homosexuality.

“Fans beware,” urged the singer. He even said that “it would have been nice” to perform the song “The Killing of Georgie” during the worlds. The song talks about the murder of a gay friend in the 1970s.

Stewart even responded ironically when asked if he would cheer for England during the championship. “No, for Brazil”, he joked. The musician was born in London, but is the son of a Scotsman. He regretted that the team from his father’s country did not qualify.

In this way, the singer joins a group of artists who have positioned themselves against holding the World Cup in Qatar. Dua Lipa, 27, who was rumored to be one of the attractions at the opening ceremony, said she would only support the British national team and even then “from afar”.

“I look forward to visiting Qatar when it has fulfilled all the human rights promises it made when it won the right to host the World Cup,” she wrote on social media.