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/...-ban-football/