Taking the piss out of Richard Keys is a bit passé at this stage but every now and again an incident comes along that just can't be ignored. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is in Qatar at the moment and, this morning, news came through that although the World Cup won't be taken away from the Gulf nation, a special group would be set up to monitor the litany of human rights abuses that have been raised around the building of stadiums for the 2022 showpiece events.
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Given the number of migrant workers that have already died and the sickening conditions that many have had to face, you'd be forgiven for thinking 'too little, too late' but nonetheless steps are being taken according to FIFA and it would appear that Infantino is keen to get a handle on a World Cup that has long threatened to turn into a lot more trouble than it's worth.
With this in mind, Richard Keys who is living and working in Qatar with beIN Sport, was questioned about the nation and their treatment of migrant workers. As has tended to be the case, Keys was not exactly scathing in his criticism of the country when an individual by the name of Nicholas McGeehan decided to get involved.
@richardajkeys @Johnny_Arch Richard, what issues are being addressed? That's absolutely not the view of people who follow this closely.
— Nicholas McGeehan (@NcGeehan) April 21, 2016
@richardajkeys I've been following it for a decade now and the sad truth is that Qatar isn't even close to fixing its migrant worker problem
— Nicholas McGeehan (@NcGeehan) April 21, 2016
Any number of independent reports would back up McGeehan in that regard but Keys was having none of it, and suggested that, if you're going to criticise, it would be best to head to the country and see with you're own eyes. Cue the defining example of how to win an argument on the internet.
@richardajkeys I'm the Qatar researcher at Human Rights Watch + have spent lots of time researching conditions in labour camps in Qatar/UAE
— Nicholas McGeehan (@NcGeehan) April 21, 2016
@richardajkeys Al Shahaniya labour camp is a public health catastrophe and issues go way beyond housing which is a symptom of the problem
— Nicholas McGeehan (@NcGeehan) April 21, 2016
@richardajkeys Qatar has not reformed its laws and still holds onto its ridiculous exit visa system https://t.co/Y5WAuHXMkj
— Nicholas McGeehan (@NcGeehan) April 21, 2016
@richardajkeys this excellent report got buried by the Qatari govt https://t.co/H6QdDpeMgz
— Nicholas McGeehan (@NcGeehan) April 21, 2016
@richardajkeys and Qatar can't even protect the workers building the stadiums, according to this recent report https://t.co/2FlXbjVGba
— Nicholas McGeehan (@NcGeehan) April 21, 2016
There's no coming back from that but nonetheless, Keys gave it a go.
@richardajkeys @ASpear1966 On this issue you are spouting a vague, damaging, evidence-free misconception that bears no relation to the truth
— Nicholas McGeehan (@NcGeehan) April 22, 2016
@richardajkeys Some, yes, but not nearly enough. I'd be happy to debate this with you on air Richard.
— Nicholas McGeehan (@NcGeehan) April 22, 2016
Judging by how the above debate went, we'd suggest that's an offer that won't be taken up.
We'd like to thank former Bohs and Pat's keeper Dave Henderson for bringing this to greater attention.
