The World Cup only kicked off today, but Gary Neville is already coming under scrutiny for comments he has made about the tournament in Qatar.
The Englishman is in the country for the tournament, acting as a pundit with ITV as he has done for the last number of major tournaments. However, he has also accepted a role with beIN SPORTS, the Qatari state broadcaster.
There should be no issue with pundits travelling to Qatar to cover the tournament. They are well within in their rights to do and many have said that they will use the opportunity to discuss the various human rights issues that are plaguing the gulf nation.
In saying that, taking money directly from Qatar is an altogether different matter.
Neville claimed he would use the opportunity to speak about about the issues in the country, but his hypocrisy was brilliantly called out on the BBC in recent times.
Gary Neville getting called out for his Qatari hypocrisy is a great watch. pic.twitter.com/exrOgBoJFm
— Emily Hewertson (@emilyhewertson) November 4, 2022
Having now made his debut on the broadcaster, you suspect that we will not see many mentions of those issues.
Gary Neville criticised for beIN SPORTS appearance
Far from using the opportunity to discuss human rights issues in Qatar, Neville seemed to pander to the country while appearing on their national broadcaster.
He said that it was only right that the World Cup be held in the nation, also skirting around the subject of the profound labour issues in Qatar. He did briefly say that a discussion should be had surrounding the problems in the country and went on to say that the same must be done in England.
"There should be a World Cup in an Arab country, there should be a World Cup in a Muslim country, there should be a World Cup in the Middle East that is a fact!"@GNev2 has his say on the @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar. #FIFAWorldCup #qatar2022 #beINWC pic.twitter.com/dXHqVMHC1y
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) November 20, 2022
If you're from England, you're not quite going to think the same as you will over here in Qatar. I think that's the reality of it.
The workers who built these stadiums do need thanking and honouring in the right way. The football is here, it's the greatest sports tournament in the world.
There should be a World Cup in an Arab country, there should be a World Cup in a muslim country, there should be a World Cup in the Middle East. That's a fact.
In football we should also challenge and scrutinise the things that go on in every country that is playing, including ours and including Qatar.
Neville did heavily criticise FIFA and Gianni Infantino after his speech yesterday, although this seemingly was not welcomed by the Qatari broadcaster. They have since deleted the tweet with those comments and will likely be having a word in his ear about any further comments of that nature.
Update: Qatari owned BeIn have deleted their tweet on Gary Neville criticising FIFA 😅 https://t.co/u2cwtHLJWB
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) November 20, 2022
Unsurprisingly, the former Manchester United has come in for plenty of criticism for his comments.
‘The workers who built these stadiums do need thanking, they need honoring’ @GNev2 do you mean the workers who were killed and others who were lured there under false pretenses only to have their passports seized so they could be kept indefinitely as slaves? Those, Gary? https://t.co/toG6GxUHoC
— Crysencio Summerville name fan acc (@Nico_OMorales) November 20, 2022
The people Neville is sat around should be enough for him to know he’s on the wrong side. But despite what he said on twitter, money talks and he has sold out. https://t.co/KjQT2k4buZ
— Ben Price (@thebenprice) November 20, 2022
Don’t want to hear Neville talk about sports washing again. https://t.co/Z2OUv92DEK
— Callum McFadden (@Callum7McFadden) November 20, 2022
This guy is a knob, preaches his political stance 24/7.
Calls our the tories constantly for their mismanagement of the UK, yet goes and signs a deal with the Qatari’s and then tries to brush under the carpet how outrageous it is that the #FIFAWorldCup is being hosted in Qatar. https://t.co/cum7zXXnmj— Kian Ward (@kianwardgk) November 20, 2022
look how he’s changed his tune now that he’s taking their money 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/PNSgmsxwoE
— sb (@sbanyard18) November 20, 2022
Yeah fair play @GNev2, this is the tough, hard hitting journalism you promised. They're quaking in their boots at your intense criticism..... https://t.co/pqRz5DF9UC
— Dave Mitchell (@DodgyTatDave) November 20, 2022
"Right, that's my scrutiny done, I've raised the issues. Get me that briefcase full of cash and one of those buds you've confiscated off the plebs". https://t.co/vILIiK1vUu
— JH (@iamhighlystrung) November 20, 2022
It will be interesting to see if he changes his tune when appearing on British television.
SEE ALSO: Roy Keane Was Not Happy About Gary Neville's Saipan Question
