FOOTIE pundit Gary Neville was left red-faced after being told “you don’t have to take the Qataris’ money” in a savage takedown.
The ex-Manchester United star sparked outrage after signing a deal with state broadcaster BeIN SPORTS to commentate on the Qatar World Cup.
Fury has mounted over the 47-year-old’s decision given the sickening human rights abuses in the Gulf State.
But Neville – a vocal social justice campaigner – was brutally dragged over the coals for his hypocrisy by Have I Got News For You panellist Ian Hislop.
In a cringe-inducing takedown on Friday night’s episode the pundit, who was hosting the panel show, asked Hislop: “Is it coming home?”
But the Private Eye journalist lashed back, chiming: “What, your reputation?”
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The comment was met with raptures of laughter as Hislop tore into the ex-England right back, saying the issue was the “elephant in the room”.
Asked what Neville’s defence was for taking the job, the pundit replied: “Well, I think you’ve got a choice, haven’t you?”
But Hislop didn’t miss a beat, slamming: “What, going and not going?”
Visibly shaken, Neville – who played 400 times for United – replied: “My view always has been that you either highlight the issues and challenges in these countries and speak about them.
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“Or you don’t say anything and you stay back home and don’t go. I’ve always said we should challenge them.”
But the veteran panellist was having none of it, rubbishing the claim: “There’s another option – you stay at home and highlight the abuses.
“You don’t have to go and take the Qataris’ money. I’m not trying to be tiresome, but it is just not a very good defence.”
Neville – who recently joined the Labour Party – attempted to counter the takedown of his disastrous PR flop by suggesting he could raise issues during commentary.
But Hislop mocked him further, chiming: “And it’s the kick-off here in this appalling country with its human rights record and honestly I think…
“‘Oh someone is kicking a ball’.”
Being gay is illegal in Qatar, punishable by a five year prison sentence.
While there are also claims hundreds of migrant workers died building stadiums ahead of the event.
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It is unclear how much Neville is getting paid for his gig at the World Cup which kicks off on Sunday, November 20.
England face Iran in their opening Group B game on November 21.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
