'I will highlight those issues like I have for years!'
Gary Neville has confirmed he will be working for Qatar's state-owned beIN Sports during the 2022 World Cup, but has vowed to continue shining a light on some of the wider issues relating to the country's hosting of the tournament.
In a tweet sent on Wednesday, Neville confirmed he will split his time between roles with beIN and ITV Sport. Having looked at some of the controversies associated with the World Cup in recent documentary
Gary Neville's Countdown To Qatar, he vowed to continue to highlight those issues.
https://twitter.com/GNev2/status/1577614441117614080
In the latest documentary, which follows previous film,
Gary Neville in Qatar, which was shot in 2019, the former England international was
visibly shocked when viewing living facilities for some of the migrant workers tasked with preparing Qatar for the tournament.
Qatar World Cup shrouded in controversy
Preparations for the tournament have been blighted by negative headlines relating to
Qatar's treatment of its migrant workforce. The country has disputed reports that thousands of migrants have died.
Qatar's attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights have also been under the spotlight. While FIFA and Qatari authorities have insisted everyone is welcome to the tournament,
an investigation conducted by Swedish and Danish media found several hotels in the country refused to allow gay couples to stay, with others asking them to change their behaviour.
[caption id="attachment_362248" align="alignnone" width="640"]
Nepali migrant workers pictured resting in a labour camp in Doha in 2011 (via Getty)[/caption]
beIN Sport
beIN Sports was launched a decade ago, and his headed by
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain and chairman of the European Clubs Association.
Since their formation, they have secured a series of lucrative broadcasting contracts with UEFA for the Champions League and other club competitons.
Beckham criticised for Qatar ambassadorial role
Earlier this year, Neville's friend and former teammate
David Beckham was criticised for accepting what is believed to be a lucrative ambassador role with Qatar. He has since appeared in an advertising campaign promoting the country as a tourism destination.
Neville interviewed Beckham in Qatar for The Overlap, but was c
riticised for not using the opportunity to ask about the country's human rights record.
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