Viewers of the first World Cup match have accused the BBC of brazen ‘hypocrisy’ and ‘virtue signalling’ as pundits launched into a segment about the multiple controversies and human rights issue in Qatar, while broadcasting live from a stadium in Doha.
Gary Lineker’s opening monologue for BBC‘s introduction to the World Cup addressed the human rights record in Qatar immediately.
The controversial competition kicked off today with the host nation facing Ecuador in Group A, with the game live on the BBC.
Lineker, who recently promised to speak out on the issues while covering the tournament, got straight into the controversy before the pundits on the show went on to discuss the issues further.
He had previously been criticised, along with other football commentators and journalists, for agreeing to attend and be paid for the tournament in Qatar given its deeply conservative stance on issues such as gay rights.
Alan Shearer, Alex Scott and Ashley Williams were working as pundits and also…
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