Gary Neville defended his decision to work for the broadcaster beIN Sports at this year's World Cup in Qatar.
The Manchester United legend was ridiculed over the controversial move while presenting the popular BBC show Have I Got News For You on Friday evening.
Comedian Ian Hislop asked Neville to justify his role as a pundit for beIN Sports, which is owned by the Qatar state, at this month's competition. The Middle East country is under the spotlight due to its human rights record.
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Neville replied: “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. I’ve always said we should challenge.”
However, Hislop disagreed. “There’s another option," he told Neville. "You stay at home and highlight the abuses. You don’t have to go and take the Qatari's money.”
Neville looked speechless as Hislop described Neville's response as "not a very good defence.” The former England defender then vowed to “highlight” the issues during commentary on matches at the tournament.
The former right-back was the guest host of the BBC panel show, with comedian Maisie Adam and broadcaster Richard Madeley joining regular captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.
During the 30-minute episode, Bury-born Neville made quips about his own football career and that of his brother Phil. As he introduced Madeley, Neville said: "On Paul's team tonight is a TV presenter who in a recent interview said, 'it's important not to care about being called a w*****'. I wish I'd known that when I took my first throw-in at Anfield."
Neville also took swipes at several public figures, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who was recently announced as a surprise addition to the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here line-up.
Ahead of his appearance, Neville - who has become an outspoken political voice of late - said he was "sweating" about the episode.
The 47-year-old, who made an appearance at the Labour Party Conference at the end of September, wrote on Twitter alongside two laughing emojis: "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."
His tweet came after he posted a video on Instagram sharing his thoughts on the episode and admitting to it being one of the most nerve-wracking moments of his life, despite playing in huge finals for Man Utd and major tournaments for England.
"For the first time, probably, I’d say in maybe 10 years since I did my first Monday Night Football I actually feel quite nervous and a little bit… I used the word stretch, not stressed, a little bit stretched and I’m just videoing this in an uncomfortable moment because we sometimes put ourselves in these moments in life, we’ve never done it before.
"I always used to say it was like diving in the deep end as a kid when you haven’t got your arm bands on for the first time. You don’t know what’s going to happen, that little bit of trepidation."
He then continued: "This is my thought of the week: you have to put yourselves in life in those moments of stress where you’re presenting, you’re on autocue, I’ve got what I feel are intelligent, clever, experienced, broadcaster types around me and I am not a presenter so here goes!
"You’ll be able to watch the show tonight but I’m just letting you know there are moments of vulnerability even though sometimes you look confident."
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