Have we got a monstering for you, Gary!
Hislop ridicules Left-wing football pundit Neville for taking Qatari money to commentate at World Cup
GARY NEVILLE was left squirming in front of millions of television viewers after he was challenged over his deal to commentate for Qatar’s state-owned broadcaster at the World Cup.
The former Manchester United and England star and Labour Party member bowed his head and looked shaken as he was grilled by Ian Hislop and comedian Paul Merton on BBC1’s Have I Got News For You.
Neville, 47, who shared a stage with Sir Keir Starmer at the Labour conference in September, admitted ‘getting caught with a few punches’ from Hislop who took him to task for taking a job with Qatari broadcaster beIN Sports.
Amnesty International and other campaigners have accused the government there of gross human rights abuses.
Homosexuality is illegal and women have few freedoms in the oil-rich state, where thousands of migrants have died building stadiums and hotels to host the FIFA tournament, which kicks off in two weeks’ time.
Neville’s deal follows criticism of David Beckham over his deal, reputed to be worth £150million, to promote Qatar which secured the rights to host the tournament by bribing FIFA officials.
During his stint as a guest host on the panel show on Friday night, Neville was asked by Merton: ‘You know David Beckham, don’t you? He’s going, isn’t he? How much is he being paid?’
‘I don’t know,’ came Neville’s sheepish reply. ‘More than me!’
Desperately trying to change the subject, Neville turned to Hislop and enquired about England’s chances of winning the tournament, asking if ‘it’s coming home’?
‘What, your reputation?’, came Hislop’s razor-sharp reply, prompting laughter from the audience.
The Private Eye editor went on: ‘The elephant in the room is you’re commentating there. What’s the defence?’
‘Yeah, I’m commentating,’ Neville said, adding: ‘Well, you’ve got a choice, haven’t you?
‘My view always has been that 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. And I think we should challenge them.’
However, that did not wash with Hislop, who said: ‘The other option is you stay at home and highlight the abuses. You don’t have to take the Qataris’ money. It’s just not a very good defence.’
Neville was almost speechless as the live audience applauded. ‘That’s...’ he said, tailing off.
Prior to the recorded show being broadcast, Neville wrote on Twitter: ‘Must watch if you want to watch someone well out of their comfort zone, sweating, dry mouth and getting caught with a few punches on the face on Qatar off Ian Hislop.’