GARY Neville has been slammed for launching into a political rant over the UK’s crippling strikes during ITV’s World Cup final coverage.
The Manchester United legend attacked the British government in the run-up to the Argentina vs France kickoff.
ITVGary Neville has been slammed for launching into a political rant[/caption]
AlamyNurses are currently on strike in the UK[/caption]
It comes as the World Cup in Qatar has been dogged by scandals.
It has been marred by controversy – from allegations of corruption to outrage over the country’s human rights practices.
Thousands of migrant workers have reportedly died in the Qatari construction industry since the World Cup was awarded to them in 2010.
Concerns were also raised over the rights of fans travelling to the event – especially LGBT+ individuals and women, who rights groups say Qatari laws discriminate against.
And today Neville likened the human rights disgraces in the Arab country to the strikes taking place in the UK.
He said: “The working system of Kafala which obviously through football the conversation has started and it’s been removed here now in Qatar but it is abhorrent and we should detest low pay, we should detest poor accommodation and working conditions.
“We can never accept that in this region or any other region and it is just worth mentioning we’ve got a current government in our country that are demonising rail workers, ambulance workers and terrifyingly nurses.
“In our country we’ve got to look at workers’ rights but when football goes, we have to pick up on workers’ rights wherever it goes because people have got to be equal and treated equal.
“We can’t have people being paid an absolute pittance to work, we can’t have people in accommodation that is unsavoury and disgusting. It shouldn’t happen here.
“That shouldn’t happen here with the wealth that exists.
“But it shouldn’t happen with the nurses in our country either where our nurses are having to fight for an extra pound or two pounds.”
Fans rushed to social media to blast his claims.
One fumed: “Had to switch World Cup over earlier due to Gary Neville’s rant about the government.
“A champagne socialist there to talk about the World Cup. Thinks he’s now a third-rate politician.”
Another said: “Switched to BBC despite wanting to watch Keane.
“You have Neville being thick forgetting about the estimated 6500 migrant deaths equating that with strikes in U.K.”
A third said: “Turned off as soon as you went all hypocritical again. Picking up millions for working in Qatar while justifying it because nurses are on strike. Not the brightest are you.”
However, some people praised the former footie star for speaking out.
One person said: “Well Gary Neville was being asked about Human Rights. Surely he’s entitled to state his opinion. It’s been a big part of the World Cup background.”