Gary Lineker

[theonlywayisup]

Gary Lineker agrees to huge pay cut from his £1.75m BBC salary after fury over axing licences for OAPs.

Ridiculous salary to pay someone to talk about football.

[Cataplana]

Gary Lineker agrees to huge pay cut from his £1.75m BBC salary after fury over axing licences for OAPs.

Ridiculous salary to pay someone to talk about football.

It's probably the going rate for the anchor of a flagship prime time TV show.

Saying he just talks about football, is like saying Lewis Hamilton just drives cars, or Ussain Bolt is quite good at running

They are paid for being the best at what they do.

[DetroitHibs]

I don’t it’s ridiculous. He’s good at what he does, why shouldn’t he be paid. Actors make hundreds of millions for movies, no different. Sure they could get some no mark and pay him £50,000 a year, but the quality will be way down.

[bingo70]

Do the bbc pay Gary Linekar more than they pay to Scottish football then?

That used to be said about Alan Hanson, I’ve no idea how much they pay for right to show our highlights now though?

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Gary Lineker agrees to huge pay cut from his £1.75m BBC salary after fury over axing licences for OAPs.

Ridiculous salary to pay someone to talk about football.

Would be nice to say good on him. Market rates apply to commentators as well as players and managers. If hugely paid players in a time of national crisis... no wait I’m holding my breath. at least in Brasil many of the stars give something back I think it’s called conscious but there’s real problems over there but the gulf between mega rich and poor in this country is widening.

[500miles]

Should've went and worked for Sky instead. Would have got twice the money.

[MWHIBBIES]

Good for him. Not a ridiculous salary because they, a massive business, obviously value him highly. He wouldn't be getting payed that much if he didn't earn them much more.

[Beefster]

Should've went and worked for Sky instead. Would have got twice the money.

Doesn’t he still work for BT Sport?

[worcesterhibby]

BBC invest less in their whole Scottish football production than they do in Gary Lineker.

It's fair enough that they don't pay "over the odds" for the rights to broadcast the highlights, but spending much. much less on production values, cameras and staff means the highlights programme is very poor compared with MOTD. Put simply It is selling Scottish licence payers short.

[jeffers]

All about opinions but I think he's a terrible presenter and that salary is an absolute joke. The amount of times he asks a question then looks away as if checking autocue and not paying attention to the answer. And don't get me started on the time they tried him presenting the Open, his interview of Jack Nicklaus was embarrassing.

I'm sure he'll survive with his BT Sport and Walkers crisps money.

[wookie70]

Ridiculous salary. No-one is worth that type of money for doing a job in the entertainment industry. I don't watch MOTD that often but if I do I tape it and then fast forward through the analysis.

[CMac1988]

Crazy amount of money but they obviously felt he was worth that with respect to the show and it's viewing figures etc...

The problem though is that the BBC ultimately answers to license payers (or should) so it's hard to justify salaries of that amount in today's current climate of equality etc. along with cuts to services. We should honestly abolish the TV License as it's draconian in the face of modern streaming services and other subscription based services.

[The 90+2]

He’s kind of the face of BBC sport. Can’t see that big a deal tbh.

[Cataplana]

Dutch Auction time, I'll do the job for £500,000 a year and an appearance on Pointless Celebrities.

[ancient hibee]

Don't think he's ever had an original thought but is a master of stating the bleeding obvious.

[Onceinawhile]

Don't think he's ever had an original thought but is a master of stating the bleeding obvious.

He doesn't really state the obvious though, he's not an analyst, he's paid to facilitate the analysts and it's a job he does very well.

MOTD is probably one of shows that brings in the BBC's highest ratings, so it's main presenter is always going to be well paid.

[Jones28]

Gary Lineker is worth every penny. Face facts, more people will tune in for MOTD than will ever watch a Scottish football match on the BBC.

[Steven79]

Good for him. Not a ridiculous salary because they, a massive business, obviously value him highly. He wouldn't be getting payed that much if he didn't earn them much more.

How does he earn them any money?

[Rumble de Thump]

Nobody watched Match of the Day for its presenter. They want to watch the football highlights. The rest is just noise.

[MWHIBBIES]

How does he earn them any money?

Because the things he presents get very high ratings? He definitely contributes positively to the BBC's coffers.

[Steven79]

Because the things he presents get very high ratings? He definitely contributes positively to the BBC's coffers.

You do realise that if a show on the BBC gets no viewers or 20 million they get the same amount of money?

[MWHIBBIES]

You do realise that if a show on the BBC gets no viewers or 20 million they get the same amount of money?

You do realise that is absolute rubbish? They sell their shows to other broadcasting companies, the more popular those shows are, the more they sell for.

[Montford]

**** the BBC. Scotland should be getting 8% of the national spend on English football. We get just over £1 million
We should get circa £16million
Why the SFA haven’t called this out is an absolute joke.
Second class citizens and it seems the BBC spend more on Women’s football, cricket and other English sports rather than support the game north of the border

[Torto7]

You do realise that is absolute rubbish? They sell their shows to other broadcasting companies, the more popular those shows are, the more they sell for.

And Lineker has nothing to do with that. You could put a mop in the presenters chair and MOTD would get high ratings. I also don't think they can sell MOTD to anyone else as it's the premier league who have the rights overseas etc.

I can't be doing with sycophants bootlicking someone who gets paid a lot with the They're worth every penny guff. I remember back pre 08 when Goodwin was the apple in the eye of the Edinburgh financial types and being told he was worth every penny.

[Phil MaGlass]

Im still puzzled at why you guys pay a tv licence, a licence to have a tv, wtf. I buy my tv and then choose a package from a multitude of providers including internet, hundreds of channels including bbc, sports channels that provide live english games, rugby formula 1 and loads of foreign tv. That for 40 euros pm. No licence needed, dont think any other country keeps you hostage for a licence.

[Steven79]

You do realise that is absolute rubbish? They sell their shows to other broadcasting companies, the more popular those shows are, the more they sell for.

They can't sell that show anywhere else in the world as they don't own the rights to do so.

Please check out the facts before posting absolute drivel...

[Michael]

And Lineker has nothing to do with that. You could put a mop in the presenters chair and MOTD would get high ratings. I also don't think they can sell MOTD to anyone else as it's the premier league who have the rights overseas etc.

I can't be doing with sycophants bootlicking someone who gets paid a lot with the They're worth every penny guff. I remember back pre 08 when Goodwin was the apple in the eye of the Edinburgh financial types and being told he was worth every penny.

People watch MoTD for more than just the goals. If the production, presenters and pundits didn't matter then no one would watch it as the highlights are on YouTube.

Gary Lineker does a very difficult job very well.

[Steven79]

Im still puzzled at why you guys pay a tv licence, a licence to have a tv, wtf. I buy my tv and then choose a package from a multitude of providers including internet, hundreds of channels including bbc, sports channels that provide live english games, rugby formula 1 and loads of foreign tv. That for 40 euros pm. No licence needed, dont think any other country keeps you hostage for a licence.

We live in a dictatorial state that makes people pay for a service that could well be a subscription service at this point in time to brainwash the masses with their propaganda.

It would make places like the Soviet Union & China look on with envy at this way of state control.

[Torto7]

People watch MoTD for more than just the goals. If the production, presenters and pundits didn't matter then no one would watch it as the highlights are on YouTube.

Gary Lineker does a very difficult job very well.

A very difficult job. Geez peace. He's a jug eared goof with crap patter. You could put Eilidh Barbour in as the presenter and she'd do a superior job for a lot less.

[Yorkshire HFC]

And Lineker has nothing to do with that. You could put a mop in the presenters chair and MOTD would get high ratings. I also don't think they can sell MOTD to anyone else as it's the premier league who have the rights overseas etc.

I can't be doing with sycophants bootlicking someone who gets paid a lot with the They're worth every penny guff. I remember back pre 08 when Goodwin was the apple in the eye of the Edinburgh financial types and being told he was worth every penny.


How much do you think he should be paid?

(As if it's our business)

[Callum_62]

It's not linkers fault this BBC offered him that much

We would all lap that up if in similar position

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[Barman Stanton]

I think Lineker is very good at his job. Of course I don't in any way think he is worth his salary. But I don't get the hate he is receiving from some.

[MWHIBBIES]

They can't sell that show anywhere else in the world as they don't own the rights to do so.

Please check out the facts before posting absolute drivel...

Right but high ratings for that show makes their business bigger and stronger, meaning they can make other shows, sell other shows etc. You can seriously believe he makes the BBC no money at all and they earn the same if a program gets no vewiers as if it gets 20 million. Surely you aren't that daft.

They also advertise their other shows before and after prime shows like MOTD. I mean, this really isn't difficult to understand.

BBC make a good bit from Linekers talents and he is well compensated.

[Kojock]

Gary Lineker agrees to huge pay cut from his £1.75m BBC salary after fury over axing licences for OAPs.

Ridiculous salary to pay someone to talk about football.

Surely he would be better accepting the full amount then donate the percentage he was willing to reduce his salary by to help the OAPs to pay their licence. Otherwise the BBC will use the money saved to pay more to some other pundit to talk cr@p. Alan Shearer for one.

[CMurdoch]

Don't get the BBC haters.
The BBC is brilliant and has always been.
The licence fee has always been a good deal.
BBC TV & Radio produce quality rather than fluff.
All Pay for view, for profit, shareholder, TV is the devil.
People are so short sighted. Can only see today and the deal that is in front of them.

The BBC who brought me the John Peel show, Bob Crampsey, David Begg commentaries, Sportsound, BBC 6 music, great documentaries, Play for Today, Wimbledon, The Open etc.
Sky on the other hand out bid everyone for every sporting event they wanted like a big greedy ****, held us all to ransom, totally ****ed the football market for Scottish football teams and sucked vast sums of money out of our pockets.
If the BBC goes all you have is the worst blood sucking capitalist TV stations.
The massive businesses kill the opposition and then **** everyone up the arse with the"going rate" which brings us back to Lineker.

Gary Lineker is good at what he does but he is overpayed given the honour of being on BBC. Performers always worked for the BBC for reasons other than the money. However, you could easily argue that he is not overpayed if you look at the salaries Gabby Yorath & Claire Balding are paid for ruining sports programmes with their trite uninformed hiya drivel. The late Ron Pickering and the not late Brendan Foster must be disgusted with only Steve Cram now giving athletics the gravitas of presentation the sport deserves.

[Yorkshire HFC]

[QUOTE=CMurdoch;5930028]Don't get the BBC haters.
The BBC is brilliant and has always been.
The licence fee has always been a good deal.


Totally agree - people who complain about it should experience what other countries have - I can't think of many better ways to spend £12 every month.

[allmodcons]

Don't get the BBC haters.
The BBC is brilliant and has always been.
The licence fee has always been a good deal.
BBC TV & Radio produce quality rather than fluff.
Pay for view profit, shareholder, all business TV is the devil.
People are so short sighted. Can only see the deal that is in front of them.

The BBC who brought me the John Peel show, Bob Crampsey, David Begg commentaries, Sportsound, BBC 6 music, great documentaries, Play for Today, Wimbledon, The Open etc.
Sky on the other hand bought every sporting event they wanted like a big greedy ****, held us all to ransom, totally ****ed the football market for Scottish football teams and sucked vast sums of money out of our pockets.
If the BBC goes all you have is the worst blood sucking capitalist TV stations.
The massive businesses kill the opposition and then **** everyone up the arse with the"going rate" which brings us back to Lineker.

Gary Lineker is good at what he does but he is overpayed given the honour of being on BBC. Performers always worked for the BBC for reasons other than the money. However, you could easily argue that he is not overpayed if you look at the salaries Gabby Yorath & Claire Balding are paid for ruining sports programmes with their trite uninformed hiya drivel. The late Ron Pickering and the not late Brendan Foster must be disgusted with only Steve Cram now giving athletics the gravitas of presentation the sport deserves.

I think you're getting a bit carried away with yourself here CM.

In the early days the BBC was so good at propaganda that Joseph Goebbels used it as a model for Hitler's Nazi propaganda machine.

You might expect the Corporation to produce some good programming in the near 100 years they've been in existence, particularly so, given that they had a monopoly on the TV screen for so long but I think it's fair to say that they've also produced some amount of guff and, as an aside, the budget they 'give' to Scottish Football is an absolute joke.

With regard to Gary Lineker he is massively overpaid for what he does, whether he does it well or not is not relevant. I don't see people turning off MOTD when it's presented by Dan Walker or anyone else half decent for that matter.

For what it's worth, I don't subscribe to Sky TV but at least I can opt in or out as I please. I have no option with the BBC and genuinely grudge seeing my TV licence fee wasted on former footballers and worse still failed reporters and politicians like Andrew Neil and Micheal Portillo.

[Cataplana]

We live in a dictatorial state that makes people pay for a service that could well be a subscription service at this point in time to brainwash the masses with their propaganda.

It would make places like the Soviet Union & China look on with envy at this way of state control.

I think you have over egged that. Speak to any immigrant and they will tell you what state control is.

The very fact you are able to make your claim is evidence enough it isn't as bad as other places and in the world.

[ekhibee]

I think Lineker is very good at his job. Of course I don't in any way think he is worth his salary. But I don't get the hate he is receiving from some.

This. He was a top class player and a good ambassador for the sport, I've not got any problem with him presenting MOTD although agree that he, like a lot of other celebrities, is overpaid. He doesn't take himself too seriously too, and in my eyes that's a good thing.

[H18S NX]

I think we should be allowed to opt out of the bbc programmes and licence fees,it is foisted upon us whether we like it or not.

[The Baldmans Comb]

There is next to nothing on the BBC that interests me or I can't get elsewhere and I haven't watched it in literally years.

I concluded years ago that BBC HQ in England and its subsidiary BBC Scotland reflect Scotland the way they would like it to be rather than the reality of what Scotland is really like.

Linekar is an excellent presenter and an interesting and progressive person but if the BBC makes the choice of paying him £1.7m while paying £2m annually for the rights to Scottish Football then its only fair I also make my own choices regarding paying license fees for owning a TV set.

Its a very weird tax in this day and age and of course totally unenforceable.

[calumhibee1]

I’m actually surprised he doesn’t get paid more.

[The 90+2]

I’m actually surprised he doesn’t get paid more.

Probably doubles up on BT.

[CMurdoch]

I think you're getting a bit carried away with yourself here CM.

In the early days the BBC was so good at propaganda that Joseph Goebbels used it as a model for Hitler's Nazi propaganda machine.

You might expect the Corporation to produce some good programming in the near 100 years they've been in existence, particularly so, given that they had a monopoly on the TV screen for so long but I think it's fair to say that they've also produced some amount of guff and, as an aside, the budget they 'give' to Scottish Football is an absolute joke.

With regard to Gary Lineker he is massively overpaid for what he does, whether he does it well or not is not relevant. I don't see people turning off MOTD when it's presented by Dan Walker or anyone else half decent for that matter.

For what it's worth, I don't subscribe to Sky TV but at least I can opt in or out as I please. I have no option with the BBC and genuinely grudge seeing my TV licence fee wasted on former footballers and worse still failed reporters and politicians like Andrew Neil and Micheal Portillo.

They could certainly save a load of cash and improve Match of the Day by having insightful sports journalists on alongside Lineker rather than the tedious ex footballers Jenas, Shearer etc who always have me reaching for the fast forward button.

[Moody Blues]

All about opinions but I think he's a terrible presenter and that salary is an absolute joke. The amount of times he asks a question then looks away as if checking autocue and not paying attention to the answer. And don't get me started on the time they tried him presenting the Open, his interview of Jack Nicklaus was embarrassing.

I'm sure he'll survive with his BT Sport and Walkers crisps money.

Well said. Dont get me started about BBC salaries. Cant stand Linekar.

[Phil MaGlass]

Well said. Dont get me started about BBC salaries. Cant stand Linekar.

Or how the unbiased bbc took sides during the Scottish referendum. *******s

[HappyAsHellas]

You pay pennies a day for everything available on the BBC and yet some would rather do away with it so we can watch adverts every ten minutes. It is still by far the best value for money out there. Be careful what you wish for.

[Hibspur]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx27k4789qdt

'Leaving BBC earlier than expected'. A polite way of saying they sacked him.

[NAE NOOKIE]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx27k4789qdt

'Leaving BBC earlier than expected'. A polite way of saying they sacked him.

He'll walk into a job at SKY or TNT whatever. Don't mind him to be honest, no doubt his inability to keep himself from publicly commenting on what he sees as social injustice didn't help him, and in the current lurch to the right in England that doesn't go down well with the overwhelmingly right wing printed press and the right wing politicians who have influence over BBC funding. Including a current Labour government who seem so terrified of losing voters to the right wing they attempt to appease rather than fight them.

[Since452]

He's been too big for his boots for years that melt.

[CapitalGreen]

He'll walk into a job at SKY or TNT whatever. Don't mind him to be honest, no doubt his inability to keep himself from publicly commenting on what he sees as social injustice didn't help him, and in the current lurch to the right in England that doesn't go down well with the overwhelmingly right wing printed press and the right wing politicians who have influence over BBC funding. Including a current Labour government who seem so terrified of losing voters to the right wing they attempt to appease rather than fight them.

He was already stepping away from most of his BBC work at the end of the week to dedicate more time to his booming podcast business. The shows he produces seem to be dominating the podcast charts for a range of different interests/topics.

[Wembley67]

It's farcical that he has been pushed out early.

Many folk were just out to get him and look for anything they can blow up.

[Thatdayinmay16]

Crazy to think this is what happens when you're in the spotlight and speak out against Israel.

[Bostonhibby]

Very good pundit, decent guy who lives in a country where you're allowed to have an opinion and freedom of speech h whatever you do for a living.

Will walk into another job if he wants to.

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[neil7908]

Crazy to think this is what happens when you're in the spotlight and speak out against Israel.

Yup. See also the stuff with Kneecap. I'm not saying I agree with what they said about Tory MPs but it was from 2023. Suddenly it's become a huge issue now that they've dared to criticise Israel.

Fwiw I've not had a license in years and wouldn't dream of giving the BBC any money but I always liked Linekar and they will be seriously worse off without him.

[neil7908]

It's farcical that he has been pushed out early.

Many folk were just out to get him and look for anything they can blow up.

All the folk that are after him are the someone's that moan constantly how you can't say anything anymore because of the wokes. Suddenly Israel come up and it's a different tune.

[Thatdayinmay16]

Yup. See also the stuff with Kneecap. I'm not saying I agree with what they said about Tory MPs but it was from 2023. Suddenly it's become a huge issue now that they've dared to criticise Israel.

Fwiw I've not had a license in years and wouldn't dream of giving the BBC any money but I always liked Linekar and they will be seriously worse off without him.

Correct, I dislike Kneecap for other reasons.

But anyone that speaks out against Israel/Jewish people are instantly called "anti-Semitic" or a "nazi".

[He's here!]

Very good pundit, decent guy who lives in a country where you're allowed to have an opinion and freedom of speech h whatever you do for a living.

Will walk into another job if he wants to.

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It's fine defending his right to freedom of speech if you accept it works both ways. As the former BBC head of sport says in that story how would those defending him feel if instead of pro-Remain and pro-Palestine posts he'd posted in support of Brexit and Israel?

It's his hypocrisy when supposedly standing up for human rights that rankles with me. He was prepared to front the BBC's World Cup coverage from Qatar after all.

[Bostonhibby]

It's fine defending his right to freedom of speech if you accept it works both ways. As the former BBC head of sport says in that story how would those defending him feel if instead of pro-Remain and pro-Palestine posts he'd posted in support of Brexit and Israel?

It's his hypocrisy when supposedly standing up for human rights that rankles with me. He was prepared to front the BBC's World Cup coverage from Qatar after all.Freedom of expression covers it both ways for me.

A hypocrite might well seem to take both sides,in my opinion.



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[JeMeSouviens]

It's fine defending his right to freedom of speech if you accept it works both ways. As the former BBC head of sport says in that story how would those defending him feel if instead of pro-Remain and pro-Palestine posts he'd posted in support of Brexit and Israel?

It's his hypocrisy when supposedly standing up for human rights that rankles with me. He was prepared to front the BBC's World Cup coverage from Qatar after all.

The BBC let all this long list go... https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/25/top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-biggest-controversies-quotes

He was only finally binned for assaulting a colleague. The difference with Lineker is he has the right wing press against him.

[EdinMike]

I guess this why none of our BBC reporters address the Sectarianism up here… 🤷

[ElginHibbie]

The BBC let all this long list go... https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/25/top-gear-jeremy-clarkson-biggest-controversies-quotes

He was only finally binned for assaulting a colleague. The difference with Lineker is he has the right wing press against him.

They also hired Andrew Neil who never shied away from giving his opinion and that was never an issue for folk

If Lineker's views were more right wing, The Sun and Daily Mail wouldn't have been running front pages slagging him off either

[Broxburn Greens]

Don't actually mind Gary Lineker, at least he has some sort of clue what he's talking about unlike the utter trumpets we get up here (Mikey Stewart anyone?).

Always loved that during Euro 2016 when Lennon was a pundit and halfway through the competition appointed Hibs Manager that Lineker asked him about it and how he was looking forward to managing Hibs live on air.

[jacomo]

They also hired Andrew Neil who never shied away from giving his opinion and that was never an issue for folk

If Lineker's views were more right wing, The Sun and Daily Mail wouldn't have been running front pages slagging him off either


100% correct.

The Murdoch media, the Daily Hate and the Torygraph have an agenda against the BBC, they absolutely detest it.

Amplifying outrage against a presenter for having opinions is just a convenient line of attack. If Lineker liked that prick Farage they'd praise him but find a way to attack 'lefty' BBC bosses for curtailing his freedom of speech.

[SHODAN]

The biggest fans of freedom of speech ever, who love freedom of speech, honest, get another person sacked for saying something they don't like. Funny, that.

[He's here!]

They also hired Andrew Neil who never shied away from giving his opinion and that was never an issue for folk

If Lineker's views were more right wing, The Sun and Daily Mail wouldn't have been running front pages slagging him off either

I'm not sure that was the case with Neil at the BBC. The only really significant time I recall him going 'off script' was after the Bataclan terrorist massacre, for which he got a lot of plaudits.

Otherwise he was a ferocious interviewer for sure, but equally capable of putting the boot into politicians from the left or right. And that's the bigger point, he was a political journalist not a sports presenter.

[He's here!]

I guess this why none of our BBC reporters address the Sectarianism up here… 🤷

The paltry coverage of that Rangers banner at the last old firm game was pathetic.

[Baader]

Daily Mail types will be delighted. Funny how the same rules never applied to Clarkson? Huw Edwards had his pay increased after getting arrested. :rolleyes:

[Smartie]

I like Lineker and would largely align with his opinions.

The thing is though - he ruffled feathers, he was controversial and definitely had folk gunning for him. Under such circumstances the tiniest of errors of judgment was always going to be seized upon.

The BBC prefer people to keep quiet and stick to safe subjects. Ultimately they couldn’t wait to get rid of him and I don’t think he can really have many complaints.

[Gatecrasher]

I think it's a bit different when public money pays your wages. The man himself admitted he shouldn't have shared it and shown himself up.

[hibsbollah]

I for one am delighted that this woke loudmouth, who had a right cheek to criticise mass genocide and the execution of 10s of thousands of illegal innocent defenseless kids and healthcare workers, is finally off our airwaves.

[jacomo]

I'm not sure that was the case with Neil at the BBC. The only really significant time I recall him going 'off script' was after the Bataclan terrorist massacre, for which he got a lot of plaudits.

Otherwise he was a ferocious interviewer for sure, but equally capable of putting the boot into politicians from the left or right. And that's the bigger point, he was a political journalist not a sports presenter.


Tough interviewer or not, he was a senior political journalist who made no secret of his own political affiliations.

The BBC is now run by a bunch of Tories and the double standards are shocking.

[Bostonhibby]

Seems to me Jeremy Clarkson could be the best man for the gig, popular establishment figure, popular with a fair slice of the demographic and unlikely to be called out for his non "woke" views.

I'm off to the Holy Ground........

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[Thatdayinmay16]

It's a shame Lineker wasn't a convicted sex offender.

The BBC have always been nothing but kind to them.

Huw Edwards, Saville & most recently an appearance on the Romanov story podcast/docuseries for Graham Rix.

That company should have been put to the sword a long time ago.

[Hibspur]

He's been too big for his boots for years that melt.

As someone with Jewish heritage in the family, I felt that he crossed a line last week. Anti-Semitism is the oldest form of racism, all too often swept under a cloak of being 'anti-Israel'. He betrayed a (sadly common) lack of historical awareness.

However, as I've mentioned on another thread my bugbear with him was that while he seemed fine with pontificating on the more 'centrist dad' issues of the day like Brexit, he refused to engage when questioned about his silence on biological men undermining women's sport, an issue you'd think as a high-profile sports presenter he might have a opinion worth hearing. Yet when challenged about it on a Q&A on The Rest is Football podcast by Martina Navratilova and others he just said it was 'too nuanced'.

Tweet about the Arab-Israeli conflict, one of the world's longest running and most divisive issues, no problem. But men in women's sport? Way too complex.

[James70]

I couldn't stand the man I'm afraid, too full of his own importance. Said that he wasn't political but always voicing his opinion on matters nothing to do with football. I always thought that Alan Hanson was a better and more knowledgeable pundit. Grossly overpaid and only got the job because his face fitted at the time and was an establishment figure.

[Hiber-nation]

Agree with his politics, can't be bothered with his smugness and arrogance on MotD.

[One Day Soon]

Talk about the football Gary, other than that just STFU.

We've plenty of other people better qualified and with big platforms who can publicise what's going on in Gaza so that we can then carry on ignoring Netanyahu's deranged pogrom.

[Baader]

I couldn't stand the man I'm afraid, too full of his own importance. Said that he wasn't political but always voicing his opinion on matters nothing to do with football. I always thought that Alan Hanson was a better and more knowledgeable pundit. Grossly overpaid and only got the job because his face fitted at the time and was an establishment figure.

Footballers really aren't "establishment figures."

[Keith_M]

Crazy to think this is what happens when you're in the spotlight and speak out against Israel.


:agree:


In this country, that's a big no-no.

[Paul1642]

Regardless of personal political opinions, BBC are supposed to be an impartial broadcaster, therefore their employees should be. Lineker has failed to be that.

[Keith_M]

As someone with Jewish heritage in the family, I felt that he crossed a line last week. Anti-Semitism is the oldest form of racism, all too often swept under a cloak of being 'anti-Israel'. He betrayed a (sadly common) lack of historical awareness.
.


What did Lineker say that was anti-semitic?


:dunno:

[jacomo]

I couldn't stand the man I'm afraid, too full of his own importance. Said that he wasn't political but always voicing his opinion on matters nothing to do with football. I always thought that Alan Hanson was a better and more knowledgeable pundit. Grossly overpaid and only got the job because his face fitted at the time and was an establishment figure.


Lineker wasn't a pundit, he was the host. Very different role.

This is like criticising Boyle for not being the best centre back in our squad.

[JeMeSouviens]

What did Lineker say that was anti-semitic?


:dunno:

He reposted something from a Palestinian activist about Zionism on instagram which had a rat emoji on it. He claims he didn't notice the rat and even if he had he wouldn't have realised it was an antisemitic trope used by the Nazis. However, when made aware he deleted the post and apologised.

[Keith_M]

He reposted something from a Palestinian activist about Zionism on instagram which had a rat emoji on it. He claims he didn't notice the rat and even if he had he wouldn't have realised it was an antisemitic trope used by the Nazis. However, when made aware he deleted the post and apologised.


Thanks, I must have missed that.

:aok:

[hibsbollah]

Thanks, I must have missed that.

:aok:

But noone with a functioning brain genuinely, truly believes Lineker is ACTUALLY anti-Semitic. Thats ludicrous. Its a debate based on distraction and falsehoods, smear and diversion. Looking at and learning about whats genuinely happening and tolerated in that part of the world is so distressing and enough to make you lose your grip on reality, so its hardly surprising distraction and disinformation works.

[Greenbeard]

The rights or wrongs of retweets aside I don't mind him and respect the fact that he can laugh at himself literally crapping himself on the pitch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Fw088iGTlM

[ekhibee]

I'm not sure that was the case with Neil at the BBC. The only really significant time I recall him going 'off script' was after the Bataclan terrorist massacre, for which he got a lot of plaudits.

Otherwise he was a ferocious interviewer for sure, but equally capable of putting the boot into politicians from the left or right. And that's the bigger point, he was a political journalist not a sports presenter.

Andrew Neil was, and still is, a right wing zealot and has never disguised it, particularly when he was interviewing anybody left of centre. It's a disgrace that somebody with the very obvious right wing views he had was allowed to host any kind of political programme. As a union official for over 35 years I've never had any respect for the man, he was given a platform to promote his views by the BBC and is now on that right wing garbage otherwise known as GB News, but you're quite right he was never a sports presenter. Apologies by the way, I'm not having a dig at you personally at all and we're all entitled to different points of view obviously, I just hope to God he's not a Hibs fan!

[Bostonhibby]

Regardless of personal political opinions, BBC are supposed to be an impartial broadcaster, therefore their employees should be. Lineker has failed to be that.You're right but I think the reaction of the BBC and parts of its audience are a bit selective in that regard.

I give you openly tory supporting and everyone's favourite DJ, who did a bit more than DJ'ing Sir Jimmy Saville for example. Never pulled up for his political views, or anything else.

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[Weststandwanab]

I think you're getting a bit carried away with yourself here CM.

In the early days the BBC was so good at propaganda that Joseph Goebbels used it as a model for Hitler's Nazi propaganda machine.

You might expect the Corporation to produce some good programming in the near 100 years they've been in existence, particularly so, given that they had a monopoly on the TV screen for so long but I think it's fair to say that they've also produced some amount of guff and, as an aside, the budget they 'give' to Scottish Football is an absolute joke.

With regard to Gary Lineker he is massively overpaid for what he does, whether he does it well or not is not relevant. I don't see people turning off MOTD when it's presented by Dan Walker or anyone else half decent for that matter.

For what it's worth, I don't subscribe to Sky TV but at least I can opt in or out as I please. I have no option with the BBC and genuinely grudge seeing my TV licence fee wasted on former footballers and worse still failed reporters and politicians like Andrew Neil and Micheal Portillo.

Spot on in ever point. In my opinion

[Keith_M]

But noone with a functioning brain genuinely, truly believes Lineker is ACTUALLY anti-Semitic. Thats ludicrous. Its a debate based on distraction and falsehoods, smear and diversion. Looking at and learning about whats genuinely happening and tolerated in that part of the world is so distressing and enough to make you lose your grip on reality, so its hardly surprising distraction and disinformation works.


Yep, agreed.

What's worse, accidentally re-posting a message that you didn't realise had an offensive meaning (then apologizing when it's pointed out to you)... or bombing, shooting and starving people to death on a daily basis?

While people shouldn't be posting anything anti-semitic or islamaphobic, for some people, it is a really easy/useful distraction from a serious issue.

[Kato]

Regardless of personal political opinions, BBC are supposed to be an impartial broadcaster, therefore their employees should be. Lineker has failed to be that.Yet Jeremy Clarkson could say what wanted and was only sacked when he physically attacked someone because he couldn't have sausages.

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[superfurryhibby]

As someone with Jewish heritage in the family, I felt that he crossed a line last week. Anti-Semitism is the oldest form of racism, all too often swept under a cloak of being 'anti-Israel'. He betrayed a (sadly common) lack of historical awareness.

However, as I've mentioned on another thread my bugbear with him was that while he seemed fine with pontificating on the more 'centrist dad' issues of the day like Brexit, he refused to engage when questioned about his silence on biological men undermining women's sport, an issue you'd think as a high-profile sports presenter he might have a opinion worth hearing. Yet when challenged about it on a Q&A on The Rest is Football podcast by Martina Navratilova and others he just said it was 'too nuanced'.

Tweet about the Arab-Israeli conflict, one of the world's longest running and most divisive issues, no problem. But men in women's sport? Way too complex.

He actually said

"trans people are some of the most persecuted on the planet” in a recent interview, describing the noise created by anti-trans activists around trans inclusion in sports as “too nuanced” for social media discussion.

Nonsense about anti-semitism and

I think you're confused and equating being anti genocidal with being anti-Semitic. He re-posted a video that was anti-Zionist, it included a rat emoticon that is apparently a symbol of anti-semitism ( something I also never knew). He nows says he deeply regretted this (the emoticon).

In your world criticism of the Israeli genocide often contains underlying anti-Semitism. For many of us it seems the opposite, the anti-Semitic line is used too often to try and silence dissenting voices.

If speaking out against the Tories, homophobia, persecution of trans sportspeople, genocide in Palestine, right wing populism and anti-immigration makes you a "centrist dad", then there's no helping you.

Well done to Lineker for having the bawz to stand up for the rights of others and speak out. He's grown further in my estimation

[Baader]

Yet Jeremy Clarkson could say what wanted and was only sacked when he physically attacked someone because he couldn't have sausages.

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Yep. A long history of voicing right wing sentiments, xenophobia, racism, misogyny and stating striking British workers should be "executed." BBC fine with that. All in jest of course :rolleyes:

Kept on for 3 weeks after punching a producer and directing anti Irish slurs at him.

[hibsbollah]

Yep, agreed.

What's worse, accidentally re-posting a message that you didn't realise had an offensive meaning (then apologizing when it's pointed out to you)... or bombing, shooting and starving people to death on a daily basis?

While people shouldn't be posting anything anti-semitic or islamaphobic, for some people, it is a really easy/useful distraction from a serious issue.

Im really trying to keep this on Lineker and not going holy ground, because it’s interesting, but the rat being a ‘symbol’ of antisemitism is a bit simplistic anyway, its used widely in cinema to generate revulsion in the viewer (because we are hard wired to worry about those creatures). The nazis used them in disgusting anti jewish propaganda of the time, but its a cinematic trope used more widely-look at JFK-Oliver Stone uses really Goebells like rat like imagery in the Joe Pesci scene. The use of a rat, or a line from a historical novel for that matter,, isnt a smoking gun that should be a resigning issue for him. And it probably wasnt, he’s probably just sick of the BBC anyway because of his opinion of their Israeli war crime coverage.

[Hibspur]

But noone with a functioning brain genuinely, truly believes Lineker is ACTUALLY anti-Semitic. Thats ludicrous. Its a debate based on distraction and falsehoods, smear and diversion. Looking at and learning about whats genuinely happening and tolerated in that part of the world is so distressing and enough to make you lose your grip on reality, so its hardly surprising distraction and disinformation works.

Whether he's racist or not isn't the issue here (and I don't think anyone seriously things he is either). It's the lazy re-posting of a highly subjective (ie anti-Jewish) view of Zionism accompanied by an offensive Nazi-related emoji, the wisdom of which anyone with a functioning brain should have thought twice about. Epitomises how blase many are about commentary which harms Jews.

[hibsbollah]

Whether he's racist or not isn't the issue here (and I don't think anyone seriously things he is either). It's the lazy re-posting of a highly subjective (ie anti-Jewish) view of Zionism accompanied by an offensive Nazi-related emoji, the wisdom of which anyone with a functioning brain should have thought twice about. Epitomises how blase many are about commentary which harms Jews.

Its not an anti-jewish view of zionism, its an anti-zionist view of zionism. Lots of jews abhor zionism, and the state of Israel. If you conflate the two, it’s simple propaganda.

Anyway, I’ve clearly now failed to keep this on Lineker, and off the politics of mass murder and war crimes, so im out now.

[Kato]

Im really trying to keep this on Lineker and not going holy ground, because it’s interesting, but the rat being a ‘symbol’ of antisemitism is a bit simplistic anyway, its used widely in cinema to generate revulsion in the viewer (because we are hard wired to worry about those creatures). The nazis used them in disgusting anti jewish propaganda of the time, but its a cinematic trope used more widely-look at JFK-Oliver Stone uses really Goebells like rat like imagery in the Joe Pesci scene. The use of a rat, or a line from a historical novel for that matter,, isnt a smoking gun that should be a resigning issue for him. And it probably wasnt, he’s probably just sick of the BBC anyway because of his opinion of their Israeli war crime coverage.There was one very particular propaganda movie made by Goebbels' which even Hitler thought was beyond the pale. They ended up cutting even more rat footage into the movie. It worked. It worked because propaganda works.

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[McD]

He actually said

"trans people are some of the most persecuted on the planet” in a recent interview, describing the noise created by anti-trans activists around trans inclusion in sports as “too nuanced” for social media discussion.

Nonsense about anti-semitism and

I think you're confused and equating being anti genocidal with being anti-Semitic. He re-posted a video that was anti-Zionist, it included a rat emoticon that is apparently a symbol of anti-semitism ( something I also never knew). He nows says he deeply regretted this (the emoticon).

In your world criticism of the Israeli genocide often contains underlying anti-Semitism. For many of us it seems the opposite, the anti-Semitic line is used too often to try and silence dissenting voices.

If speaking out against the Tories, homophobia, persecution of trans sportspeople, genocide in Palestine, right wing populism and anti-immigration makes you a "centrist dad", then there's no helping you.

Well done to Lineker for having the bawz to stand up for the rights of others and speak out. He's grown further in my estimation


Public figure uses his public profile to highlight things he perceives (along with many others) to be spoken out against, I don’t see an issue with that.


I don’t believe he knew the symbolism regarding the rat, like you I didn’t either, and he has removed the post and apologised. If he’d posted something with a swastika displayed on it I could understand the furore about this, as it is it feels more like an easy way for the right wing to further criticise him, and ultimately leading to him leaving his role prematurely.

[Hibspur]

Its not an anti-jewish view of zionism, its an anti-zionist view of zionism. Lots of jews abhor zionism, and the state of Israel.If you conflate the two, it’s simple propaganda.

Anyway, I’ve clearly now failed to keep this on Lineker, and off the politics of mass murder and war crimes, so im out now.

Only in its weaponised form.

And while many Jews support a two-state solution it doesn't mean they abhor the idea of a Jewish homeland.

[HNA11]

Guys I think you all know what is going to be asked here.

The discussion about Gary Linker is relevant to football in his role as MOTD host, the discussion about his right to freedom of expression in such a role is relevant because it ultimately impacts other footballers and those involved in football.

The ongoing situation in Gaza is obviously emotive and important but the cold, hard truth is that it isn't relevant to football and this is the board for football chat. It's not about stifling discussion on such an issue but rather keeping it in the right place.

Thanks in advance for understanding.

[Bostonhibby]

Guys I think you all know what is going to be asked here.

The discussion about Gary Linker is relevant to football in his role as MOTD host, the discussion about his right to freedom of expression in such a role is relevant because it ultimately impacts other footballers and those involved in football.

The ongoing situation in Gaza is obviously emotive and important but the cold, hard truth is that it isn't relevant to football and this is the board for football chat. It's not about stifling discussion on such an issue but rather keeping it in the right place.

Thanks in advance for understanding.[emoji106]

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[He's here!]

He actually said

"trans people are some of the most persecuted on the planet” in a recent interview, describing the noise created by anti-trans activists around trans inclusion in sports as “too nuanced” for social media discussion.

Nonsense about anti-semitism and

I think you're confused and equating being anti genocidal with being anti-Semitic. He re-posted a video that was anti-Zionist, it included a rat emoticon that is apparently a symbol of anti-semitism ( something I also never knew). He nows says he deeply regretted this (the emoticon).

In your world criticism of the Israeli genocide often contains underlying anti-Semitism. For many of us it seems the opposite, the anti-Semitic line is used too often to try and silence dissenting voices.

If speaking out against the Tories, homophobia, persecution of trans sportspeople, genocide in Palestine, right wing populism and anti-immigration makes you a "centrist dad", then there's no helping you.

Well done to Lineker for having the bawz to stand up for the rights of others and speak out. He's grown further in my estimation

Keeping this on a football/sport theme I can't agree with you on Lineker's deflection tactics around women's rights. If the interview you're alluding to is the one I'm thinking of he displayed near total ignorance of the issue, believing that the only sporting controversy arose around a boxer who wasn't even trans. He seemed oblivious to the issues at grass roots level (eg 1500 men in women's sports in the US alone). As Sharon Davies put it: 'Not a real issue for Gary because it doesn't affect men's sport'.

For 'too nuanced' read 'I don't know/care'.

[hibby rae]

Keeping this on a football/sport theme I can't agree with you on Lineker's deflection tactics around women's rights. If the interview you're alluding to is the one I'm thinking of he displayed near total ignorance of the issue, believing that the only sporting controversy arose around a boxer who wasn't even trans. He seemed oblivious to the issues at grass roots level (eg 1500 men in women's sports in the US alone). As Sharon Davies put it: 'Not a real issue for Gary because it doesn't affect men's sport'.

For 'too nuanced' read 'I don't know/care'.

Source? Bear in mind 1500 out of a population of 340 million is miniscule amounts, and I could ony find this number:

"Trans people are estimated to make up 1-2% of the population of the United States; however, trans people make up less than less than 0.002% (10/500,000) of US college athletes".

https://www.sf.gov/trans-women-in-sports-facts-over-fear

It would be ironic to quote a false number when accusing someone else of ignorance on this issue.

[superfurryhibby]

Keeping this on a football/sport theme I can't agree with you on Lineker's deflection tactics around women's rights. If the interview you're alluding to is the one I'm thinking of he displayed near total ignorance of the issue, believing that the only sporting controversy arose around a boxer who wasn't even trans. He seemed oblivious to the issues at grass roots level (eg 1500 men in women's sports in the US alone). As Sharon Davies put it: 'Not a real issue for Gary because it doesn't affect men's sport'.

For 'too nuanced' read 'I don't know/care'.

Having read this post a couple of times, I've no idea what you're talking about with the comments about men in women's sports.

The boxer is you refer to is but one person, the issue of transitioned former men taking part in competitive women's sport is a bit more "nuanced", I think we all know that.

The rest, Lineker's attitude, what constitutes real issues and Sharon Davis, I'll bow to your clear expertise on everything the guy has apparently stated a view on or "cares about", I'm still content that he's entitled to an opinion, sporting matters or otherwise. He seems like a decent guy who's willing to lend his voice to causes he supports. A nice counterpoint to right-wing Reform franchise worshipping doom merchants.

[McD]

Keeping this on a football/sport theme I can't agree with you on Lineker's deflection tactics around women's rights. If the interview you're alluding to is the one I'm thinking of he displayed near total ignorance of the issue, believing that the only sporting controversy arose around a boxer who wasn't even trans. He seemed oblivious to the issues at grass roots level (eg 1500 men in women's sports in the US alone). As Sharon Davies put it: 'Not a real issue for Gary because it doesn't affect men's sport'.

For 'too nuanced' read 'I don't know/care'.



There’s quite a distance between ‘don’t know’ and ‘don’t care’, plus the full quote is that he felt it was too nuanced for a social media discussion, which in the highly polarised world of social media, is probably a fair point.


Given his willingness to speak up on a range of topics, I think to suggest he doesn’t care is an unfair and harsh comment.

[He's here!]

There’s quite a distance between ‘don’t know’ and ‘don’t care’, plus the full quote is that he felt it was too nuanced for a social media discussion, which in the highly polarised world of social media, is probably a fair point.


Given his willingness to speak up on a range of topics, I think to suggest he doesn’t care is an unfair and harsh comment.

He seems happy to embrace the highly polarised world of social media when it suits him.

[He's here!]

Source? Bear in mind 1500 out of a population of 340 million is miniscule amounts, and I could ony find this number:

"Trans people are estimated to make up 1-2% of the population of the United States; however, trans people make up less than less than 0.002% (10/500,000) of US college athletes".

https://www.sf.gov/trans-women-in-sports-facts-over-fear

It would be ironic to quote a false number when accusing someone else of ignorance on this issue.

Apologies, I've just seen your post. I was paraphrasing Navratilova's response to Lineker which I heard on 5 Live Sport, but I'll see if I can dig out something more concrete.

In the meantime, Sharron Davies alludes here to 3,500 women's races being won by men and the results of over 11,000 races being impacted. She doesn't mention where she's sourced that, but given her campaigning on this issue over many years her research will most likely be exhaustive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAV0Nsp-Wwc

[He's here!]

Source? Bear in mind 1500 out of a population of 340 million is miniscule amounts, and I could ony find this number:

"Trans people are estimated to make up 1-2% of the population of the United States; however, trans people make up less than less than 0.002% (10/500,000) of US college athletes".

https://www.sf.gov/trans-women-in-sports-facts-over-fear

It would be ironic to quote a false number when accusing someone else of ignorance on this issue.

Still on the case with Navratilova but I note Davies has alluded to similar numbers here:

https://x.com/sharrond62/status/1923031476246855879

[Thatdayinmay16]

:agree:


In this country, that's a big no-no.

In every country, that's a big no-no.

[Hibspur]

I think you're getting a bit carried away with yourself here CM.

In the early days the BBC was so good at propaganda that Joseph Goebbels used it as a model for Hitler's Nazi propaganda machine.

You might expect the Corporation to produce some good programming in the near 100 years they've been in existence, particularly so, given that they had a monopoly on the TV screen for so long but I think it's fair to say that they've also produced some amount of guff and, as an aside, the budget they 'give' to Scottish Football is an absolute joke.

With regard to Gary Lineker he is massively overpaid for what he does, whether he does it well or not is not relevant. I don't see people turning off MOTD when it's presented by Dan Walker or anyone else half decent for that matter.

For what it's worth, I don't subscribe to Sky TV but at least I can opt in or out as I please. I have no option with the BBC and genuinely grudge seeing my TV licence fee wasted on former footballers and worse still failed reporters and politicians like Andrew Neil and Micheal Portillo.

I won't hear a word against Great Railway Journeys :greengrin

[Hibspur]

There’s quite a distance between ‘don’t know’ and ‘don’t care’, plus the full quote is that he felt it was too nuanced for a social media discussion, which in the highly polarised world of social media, is probably a fair point.


Given his willingness to speak up on a range of topics, I think to suggest he doesn’t care is an unfair and harsh comment.

What's nuanced about it? As someone else has mentioned, Martina Navratilova took him to task over that claim and had no problem to summing things up very succinctly on social media:

“Truly unbelievable. What an utter load of BS – and I am being nice. Seriously, Gary? It’s OK for men to compete against female bodies? You must be joking.”

In fairness to Lineker, I don't think he actually understands the issue because he claimed sport would sort it out "like in boxing, when they realised they couldn't have heavyweights against little fellas." :confused:

[superfurryhibby]

What's nuanced about it? As someone else has mentioned, Martina Navratilova took him to task over that claim and had no problem to summing things up very succinctly on social media:

“Truly unbelievable. What an utter load of BS – and I am being nice. Seriously, Gary? It’s OK for men to compete against female bodies? You must be joking.”

In fairness to Lineker, I don't think he actually understands the issue because he claimed sport would sort it out "like in boxing, when they realised they couldn't have heavyweights against little fellas." :confused:

You understand that "sport sorting it out" is exactly what has transpired?


"following the judgment in For Women Scotland, The FA announced that trans women would no longer be able to play matches in women’s football from 1 June 2025 [3]. We refer to “play matches” and “participate in the women’s game” below for ease of reference. However, it is worth noting The FA’s policy is limited to matches sanctioned by The FA and relevant other associations. Whether trans women can participate in matches not sanctioned by The FA or relevant other associations, and in non-match activities like training sessions, is a decision for the relevant organiser. The announcement does not mention any ban on trans men participating in the men’s game".

[superfurryhibby]

This is what Lineker actually said, with full knowledge that there was a policy position change from the FA.

" Lineker felt the topic of trans inclusion was “too nuanced” for a social media post. “I don’t think, in terms of sport, that it will ever be a real issue,” he said. “Sport, as it’s already doing, will sort it out and work out rules, like they did in boxing, when they realised they couldn’t have heavyweights against little fellas.”

"He then said trans people were “some of the most persecuted on the planet”, before adding: “You’ve got to be very careful not to have bigoted views on that. I genuinely feel really badly for trans people. Imagine going through what they have to go through in life. Is there even any issue?”


Seemingly referring to Lia Thomas, Laurel Hubbard and Imane Khelif, Lineker, who scored 461 goals in 238 first-team appearances in England, Spain and Japan, went on to say: “It’s the same swimmer, the same weightlifter, the same boxer. They’re the only people I ever see.

“We’ve got the Women’s Euros [football competition] in the summer, let’s see if there’s one issue. I don’t think there is. Are you telling me that there are many people who pretend to be women just so they’re going to be good at sport?

“It’s so complex, I see both sides to a degree.”

https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/16/gary-lineker-trans-supreme-court-sports-ban-football/

[Kato]

What's nuanced about it? As someone else has mentioned, Martina Navratilova took him to task over that claim and had no problem to summing things up very succinctly on social media:

“Truly unbelievable. What an utter load of BS – and I am being nice. Seriously, Gary? It’s OK for men to compete against female bodies? You must be joking.”

In fairness to Lineker, I don't think he actually understands the issue because he claimed sport would sort it out "like in boxing, when they realised they couldn't have heavyweights against little fellas." :confused:

When weight levels were introduced into boxing it was contensious and not everyone was in favour. That change came over time and was eventually codified. Lightweights werent taken very seriously for example. Sports are going through a slightly similar discussion now in how to codify in order to accommodate people who want to take part. There have been massive errors but it will take time. Lineker's comments aren't all that strange.

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[easty]

This is what Lineker actually said, with full knowledge that there was a policy position change from the FA.

" Lineker felt the topic of trans inclusion was “too nuanced” for a social media post. “I don’t think, in terms of sport, that it will ever be a real issue,” he said. “Sport, as it’s already doing, will sort it out and work out rules, like they did in boxing, when they realised they couldn’t have heavyweights against little fellas.”

"He then said trans people were “some of the most persecuted on the planet”, before adding: “You’ve got to be very careful not to have bigoted views on that. I genuinely feel really badly for trans people. Imagine going through what they have to go through in life. Is there even any issue?”


Seemingly referring to Lia Thomas, Laurel Hubbard and Imane Khelif, Lineker, who scored 461 goals in 238 first-team appearances in England, Spain and Japan, went on to say: “It’s the same swimmer, the same weightlifter, the same boxer. They’re the only people I ever see.

“We’ve got the Women’s Euros [football competition] in the summer, let’s see if there’s one issue. I don’t think there is. Are you telling me that there are many people who pretend to be women just so they’re going to be good at sport?

“It’s so complex, I see both sides to a degree.”

https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/05/16/gary-lineker-trans-supreme-court-sports-ban-football/

Hard to find fault in any of the above in my opinion.

[superfurryhibby]

Hard to find fault in any of the above in my opinion.

What makes it stranger is that Navratilova's comments, and those of Sharon Davis, were made in November last year.