GARY Neville was grilled about his commentary role for the Qatar World Cup during an intense Have I Got News For You episode.
Sky Sports pundit Gary, 47, fronted the iconic BBC One show before he jetted off to the controversial FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Gary Neville has been grilled about his ‘defence’ for heading to the World Cup in Qatar
Gary was grilled by team captain Ian Hislop
Back in 2010, Qatar clinched the rights to the World Cup in 2022 despite controversy surrounding their bid.
Claims arose that Qatar had paid FIFA officials £3 million in bribes, yet they were cleared after a two-year investigation.
Since then, the Arab nation’s poor record on human rights has been put under the spotlight, including its rules on homosexuality, as well as the amount of workers who died while making the event possible.
On Have I Got News for You, ex Manchester United defender Gary was probed about his decision.
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Gary – who recently spoke at Labour’s party conference – quizzed: “Ian is it coming home?” to which the panelist wittily retorted: “What, your reputation?”
After the audience giggled, Gary covered his head with his hosting cards, yet Ian continued: “The others have been very gentle with you Gary.
“But the elephant in the room is still there.
“You’re commentating there aren’t you?”
The former England ace agreed he was, before the private Eye journalist joked: “And what’s the defence? Football term!”
Gary – who has transformed himself as a pundit turned political activist – said: “You’ve got a choice I think, haven’t you?
“My view has always been you either highlight the issues and challenges in these countries and speak about them, or you basically don’t say anything and stay back home and don’t go.
“I’ve always said we should challenge them.”
Clearly not convinced, Ian interjected: “There’s another option – you stay at home and highlight the abuses.
“You don’t have to go and take the Qatari’s money,” to which he received a round of applause from the studio audience.
Lost for words, Gary just uttered a wry smile as Ian said: “it’s not a defence.”
Richard Madeley asked how music acts such as Robbie Williams could flag the area’s appalling human rights records while on stage.
Gary insisted his team could do this though match commentary, before Ian gave a hilarious exaggerated example of how this might play out.
He joked: “The amount of immigrant workers who have died it’s a shocker – oh it’s a goal!”
Gary will front the coverage for Sky Sports
The pundit turned political activist believes he can call out the Arab nation’s conduct while on commentary
The Qatar World Cup has been shrouded in controversy before a ball has even been kicked
