Richard Madeley criticises Gary Lineker over World Cup stance

Watch: Richard Madeley accuses Gary Lineker of hypocrisy

Richard Madeley has criticised the BBC's Gary Lineker over his stance on the Qatar World Cup.

Lineker has been a vocal critic of the host country and their record on human rights abuses and anti-LGBT laws but Madeley has accused the former Tottenham striker of "having it both ways".

After Lineker used part of the BBC's opening game broadcast to highlight several of the controversial issues in Qatar, Madeley said on Good Morning Britain: “Couldn’t you have covered it from here, Gary?"

Madeley added: “You’ve got exactly the same communications, you’ve got the same screens, you’ve got the same earpieces in, it’s instantaneous coverage, it comes via satellite… you don’t have to be there. You do not have to be."

Read more: Gary Lineker: I’m ready to ‘p**s off’ Qatar during World Cup

He then said: “I think that statement is what’s known as ‘having it both ways’, don’t you?”

A number of other figures involved with the Qatar World Cup have also come under criticism including David Beckham who has been working as an ambassador for the host country.

Beckham, who became the first Premier League footballer to appear on the cover of gay magazine Attitude, has been particularly criticised for his silence regarding LGBT issues aroud the World Cup.

Gary Neville, who has also been a vocal critic of the decision to host the World Cup in Qatar, has been scrutinised for his decision to accept commentary work for Qatari state owned broadcaster BeIn Sports.

Neville defended himself on a recent episode of Have I Got News For You, saying: “My view always has been, 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, and don’t go. And I’ve always said we should challenge them.”

Watch below: Gary Lineker urges gay players to come out during World Cup