BBC pundit Alex Scott has hit back at critics who have slammed her for covering the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after the former Arsenal and Lionesses star spoke out about the major issues that have cast a shadow over the tournament.
Scott was part of the BBC Sport team that spoke out before the opening game of the tournament between Qatar and Ecuador on Sunday afternoon.
Along with Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Ashley Williams, Scott explained why she had decided against boycotting the tournament in Qatar - but that didn't prevent Scott from being criticised on social media.
Broadcaster Sophie Corcoran hit out at Scott for "doing a 180" by heading out to Qatar. She tweeted: "Not too long ago Alex Scott was trying to accuse the England women's team of structural racism and downplayed their victory due to there being too many white players. Now she's in Qatar - a country where gays, women and migrants have no rights. Talk about doing a 180."
But Scott hit back with a tweet of her own, responding: "You are getting boring now with your tweets about me... my documentary 'the future of the woman's game' touches on so many subjects ranging from media rights, diversity, maternity rights and highlights the growth of the game. So stop with the lies and do one."
Scott was vocal on Qatar's dubious human rights record in the BBC's coverage of Sunday's opening match. Currently, homosexuality is illegal in Qatar and is even punishable by death in some circumstances.
Migrant workers who worked to build Qatar's World Cup stadiums often worked long hours in horrific conditions ahead of the tournament.
Speaking on the issues that have surrounded the tournament ever since Qatar won the right to stage the tournament back in 2010, Scott said: "I totally understand their reasons as well as a whole heap of fans from around the world from the LGBT+ community not wanting to travel here.
"Once again we referenced Gianni Infantino from what he said. You are not gay. You'll never understand travelling to a country where you are fearing for your life just because of your preference of who you choose to love."
The former Arsenal defender added: "There's so much around this as well. To keep saying football is for everyone. That's what you keep feeding us with. We sit here and it’s not, because people have not been able to travel to watch their teams, to support their teams (out of fear) so you can’t say football is for everyone.
"I've had conversations about 'I should be staying at home, I should be boycotting' and I thought long and hard about it. I think that for me personally would have been the easy option."
