Ian Hislop didn’t refrain from giving Gary Neville a piece of his mind on Have I Got News For You, questioning why the pundit has agreed to commentate on the World Cup in Qatar.
Later this month, the tournament is set to take place in Qatar, a decision that has been widely-criticised due to the country’s stance on same-sex relationships and human rights issues.
Despite World Cup organisers insisting that ‘everyone is welcome’, punishments for being homosexual in the region can include fines, prison sentences of up to seven years and even death.
While some high-profile individuals have spoken out against Qatar hosting this year, including Lioness Beth Mead and commentator Gary Lineker – who recently slammed the foreign secretary’s warning to LGBTQ+ football fans to be ‘respectful’ in the country’ – people including David Beckham have taken on roles promoting the competition.
Gary, who retired from football in 2011 before embarking on a career in coaching and punditry, is set to appear as a commentator at the World Cup, working for the Qatar-owned broadcaster beIN Sports.
On Friday night’s Have I Got News For You, the former Manchester United player was guest host – but that didn’t stop the panel from calling out his involvement in the controversy-filled tournament.
The topic arose on the BBC programme of members of the LGBT+ community being told they should ‘flex and compromise’ at the footballing event by the UK’s foreign secretary James Cleverly.
Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley said he found the notion ‘unbelievable’, stating: ‘It’s all about money and you’ve got mainline celebrities going over there for huge cheques. You’ve got people like Robbie [Williams] going out there to sing.’
Richard added that he was ‘very surprised’ by the singer agreeing to perform, ‘given all the comments that Robbie Williams has made in the past about gay rights’.
‘The fact that he’s going out there to sing for them is extraordinary. I don’t know what’s happened to people. And it’s not just him, the Black Eyed Peas are going, aren’t they?’ he remarked.
Writer and comedian Paul Merton then turned to Gary, asking if he knew how much David was being paid for his involvement at the World Cup.
‘I don’t know, more than me!’ Gary replied, before turning to Ian to ask him in a light-hearted manner: ‘Ian, is it coming home?’
However, Ian wasn’t going to let Gary steer the conversation in a different direction, as he quipped in response: ‘What, your reputation?’
That’s when he went in, saying to the guest host: ‘The others have been very gentle with you Gary, but the elephant in the room is still there. I mean, you’re commentating there, aren’t you?’
‘Yeah I am commentating there,’ Gary responded, as Ian asked him: ‘What’s the defence?’
The pundit explained his stance, stating: ‘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 you stay back home and don’t go. And I think we should challenge them.’
However, Ian wasn’t having any of it, saying: ‘There’s another option – you stay at home and highlight the abuse. You don’t have to go and take the Qataris’ money,’ shrugging as the audience clapped.
Gary appeared to laugh nervously, as Ian stressed that his explanation was ‘not a very good defence’.
Nonetheless, the commentator insisted that he believed Robbie and the Black Eyed Peas could highlight the issues while performing on stage.
Ian was incredulous over the idea that the performers or commentators could bring up issues pertaining to Qatar while in the region, as he jokingly imagined what the football commentary would sound like if it combined breakdowns of the matches with criticisms of the host country.
Metro.co.uk has contacted representatives for Robbie Williams and the Black Eyed Peas for comment.
Have I Got News For You next airs on Friday at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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