Gary Neville claims that receiving funding from a state-run sports channel in Qatar to cover the World Cup “makes no difference to him” and that he would sue the nation for its obscene human rights laws.
The 47-year-old former Manchester United defender refuted claims of making bad decisions while working for beIN SPORTS in a heated online argument.
At one point he was even advised to give his salary to charity, but he retaliated by saying he had already donated £250,000 to charitable organizations in the previous year.
The argument began when Neville, who played 400 times for Manchester United, was teased about the Labour Party’s boycott of the competition.
Adam Brooks, a publican and social critic, asked him whether he felt uncomfortable.
I don’t do uncomfortable, Neville argued, taking the bait. The MPs from the Labour Party should adopt such a stance.
Are you among those who believe that each member of a team must be the same? I’m not.
“I’ll go over and watch the game while talking about all the problems with a World Cup in the Middle East and Qatar,” the speaker said.
Another Twitter user chimed in to inquire whether Neville’s salary had any bearing on his choice to leave, to which Neville responded, “If you believe I make decisions based on money you’re mistaken but glad for you to go with it!
“The money won’t change a thing for me at all.”
Neville seemed to dismiss the idea when it was suggested he donate his salary to charity in light of his previous year’s generosity.
I gave more than £250,000 to charity in the previous 12 months, he claimed. You?’
All of this happened when it was disclosed today that Labour will abstain from the next World Cup soccer competition in Qatar.
The choice was made in opposition to the criminalization of homosexuality and the deaths of thousands of migrant laborers.
Lucy Powell, the shadow secretary for sports, revealed how she declined an invitation to the competition, which starts in a month.
Leader Sir Keir Starmer has also promised to watch the competition when it begins on November 20 at home, “on the couch.”
The Qatari government recently extended an invitation to Ms. Powell, but she says she is declining it because of the nation’s track record on human rights.
She admitted to looking forward to the World Cup and supporting England in the interview with The Mail on Sunday.
But we are unable to ignore the issues in Qatar.
“Dozens of construction workers have died making this event happen, and LGBT England and Wales supporters must endure the tournament being held in a nation where their sexual orientation is illegal.”
I can’t wait to support the England squad from my living room and the neighborhood bar.
Starmer is said to have informed his MPs that the party won’t be sending any representatives but that he won’t officially call for a political boycott of the finals since he thinks the government should make that choice.
With just a few weeks before the commencement of the competition, the argument over the choice to hold the illustrious event in Qatar rages on.
According to The Mail on Sunday, David Beckham faced intense backlash after agreeing to a £10 million agreement to serve as the tournament’s ambassador.
The nation’s record on human rights, notably its treatment of women and homosexual people, has drawn intense criticism.
Human rights organizations have criticized Qatar severely for the way it treats migrant labor.
Gay marriage is prohibited in Qatar, according to rights organizations, with Amnesty International noting that LGBTQ+ persons and women “continue to experience discrimination in law and practice.”
A Premier League player coming out as gay at the Qatar World Cup would send a powerful message to the host country, where homosexuality is still a criminal, according to BBC Match of the Day broadcaster Gary Lineker.
Gareth Bale of Wales and Harry Kane of England have both promised to wear “One Love” armbands during matches in an effort to combat prejudice.