Alan Shearer responds to Newcastle Saudi Arabia question at World Cup

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Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has insisted the club's Saudi Arabian backers must be held to account over the same issues that have been thrown into the spotlight at the 2022 Qatar World Cup . The controversial tournament kicked off on Sunday, and the BBC ensured to prioritise addressing real-world issues over football.

Ahead of Qatar's 2-0 defeat to Ecuador in Group A, the broadcaster didn't air most of the opening ceremony at the Al Bayt Stadium. And Gary Lineker instead started the coverage with a speech, pinpointing several controversial issues that have plagued the World Cup's build-up since its controversial awarding in 2010.

Alleged corruption in the bidding process, treatment of migrant workers building the stadiums, many who lost their lives, laws around homosexuality, women's rights and freedom of expression and the switch from summer to winter have all come into question.

And Shearer, who has been publicly loving Newcastle's form this season under Public Investment Fund backing, avoided hypocrisy by admitting that Saudi Arabia's similar controversies can't remain unanswered. He told BBC Sport: "It's not just Newcastle. It's not just football. You look at the F1, the boxing, the athletics, the LIV golf.

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