The Daily Telegraph - Features
Neville or Lineker: who is the most woke pundit in Qatar?
TV experts are falling over themselves to prove their virtuousness, says
The 2022 World Cup has so far been dominated not so much by the beautiful game but by retired footballers opining on everything from rainbow armbands to migrant workers’ rights.
On both the BBC and ITV, pundits and presenters have been showing how right-on they are by issuing long-winded justifications for working in the human-rights black hole that is Qatar. They’re being accused not only of having their cake and eating it, but then virtue signalling about how the cake ingredients weren’t sustainable and the oven wasted energy. Here we rate pundits for wokeness.
GARY LINEKER
Who? Former World Cup top scorer, crisp salesman and BBC Sport anchor.
Level of virtue signalling:
Very high. He’s even started retrospectively hand-wringing, saying that he felt “uncomfortable” during the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Time spent talking about issues that aren’t football: Before the first game in Qatar, BBC One declined to show the opening ceremony and instead broadcast a half-hour Lineker monologue on corruption and human rights. Try cheering along to that in a pub.
Time spent doing their actual job: After his lengthy monologue, Lineker added that he wouldn’t be following Fifa’s plea to “stick to football”. You don’t say, Gaz.
Annoyingness overall: High. Check his social media replies to see how divisive he is. 8/10
ROY KEANE
Who? Former Manchester United and Ireland hardcase who now sports a salty old sea-dog’s beard and gets exasperated in glass boxes beside football pitches for a living.
Level of virtue signalling: Surprisingly high. “Keano” gave it both barrels during ITV’s coverage of Argentina vs Saudi Arabia.
Time spent talking about issues that aren’t football: Keane said the England team should have stuck to their guns and worn the armbands, regardless of the punishment. “The World Cup shouldn’t be here,” he added. “The corruption regarding Fifa, the way the country treats migrant workers, gay people… you can’t treat people like that.”
Time spent doing their actual job: Of course, Keano was straight back to calling Argentinian players pampered softies. Don’t go changing, Royston.
Annoyingness overall: Well, I’m not going to tackle the Captain Birdseye of the commentary box about it. Are you? 3/10
IAN WRIGHT
Who? Ex-Arsenal and England striker who famously wears his heart on his sleeve.
Level of virtue signalling: Nuanced. He partially agreed with Fifa president Gianni Infantino’s widely panned speech urging Europeans not to criticise Qatar. In an emotional monologue, Wright compared the Gulf state’s issues to the UK’s colonial history.
Time spent talking about issues that aren’t football: A staunch defender of the women’s game and England’s young black players.
Time spent doing their actual job: He just wants the Three Lions to win and doesn’t care who knows it. He’s the voice of England fans inside the commentary box.
Annoyingness overall: His passion is so infectious that it’s hard to get mad at him. 4/10
Who? The former Man Utd right-back has carved out a niche on Sky as a well informed but increasingly politicised pundit.
Level of virtue signalling: Off the scale. Despite taking the coin of ITV and Doha-based broadcaster BeIN Sports, he says he “detests” Qatar’s human rights record.
Time spent talking about issues that aren’t football: Launched into a long justification about his business interests in south-east Asia while mentioning political parties, Heathrow Airport and the stock exchange. Also appeared to criticise the Royal family for taking Qatari charitable donations.
Time spent doing their actual job: He can barely hop off his high horse long enough to mention football. While guest-hosting Have I Got News For You he was memorably eviscerated for his hypocrisy by Ian Hislop. Annoyingness overall: Was often described as Man Utd’s “unofficial shop steward” in his playing days. We didn’t know the half of it. 8/10
ALEX SCOTT
Who? Former Lioness defender and first female pundit on Sky’s Super Sunday before becoming the first permanent female host of BBC’s Football Focus.
Level of virtue signalling: Scott defended her decision to work in Qatar, while criticising the country’s human rights record and treatment of LGBT people. When Fifa threatened to give yellow cards to any player wearing a OneLove armband, she wore one herself while standing pitchside before England’s opener.
Time spent talking about issues that aren’t football: Not as much as you might think. While wearing the armband, she did a piece to camera about Gareth Southgate’s starting XI against Iran without mentioning the accessory. She left it to reporter Kelly Somers to say something.
Time spent doing their actual job: With 140 caps for England, she knows her stuff. She hits back on social media but, otherwise, keeps it to business.
Annoyingness overall: As a woman of colour who was once in a long-term relationship with her Arsenal and England teammate Kelly Smith, Scott has skin in the game. She also tends to let actions speak louder than words. 5/10