“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,” Neville said. “And I always say we should challenge them.”
But Hislop bluntly pointed out that Neville had a third option of discussing such topics while not working for the state broadcaster. He jibed: “There’s another option, you stay at home and highlight the abuses. You don’t have to go and take the Qatari’s money. I am not trying to be tartan but it’s not a very good defence.”
Neville will also work for ITV alongside his punditry for BeIN Sport. The World Cup begins on November 18, with England’s first group-stage clash with Iran taking place three days later.