Because of his outspoken political views, Gary Lineker has once again gotten into trouble with the BBC and is now the target of new calls for his dismissal.
The host of Match of the Day’s anti-Tory tweets have sparked a backlash within the organisation, according to detractors who claim they violate the BBC’s strict impartiality guidelines.
It’s not the first time the former England star has spoken out; in the past, he’s drawn criticism for expressing his opinions on immigration and Brexit, sparking arguments with BBC colleagues who claimed they would have been fired for saying the same thing.
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Table of Contents
Gary Lineker’s Controversial Comment On Brexit
Gary Lineker is a household name in the UK, known for his successful career as a footballer and as a sports broadcaster for the BBC.1
However, Lineker has also found himself in the midst of several controversies over the years, many of which have centered around his comments on social media.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the most notable controversies involving Gary Lineker and what happened in each instance.
Lineker’s Comments on Brexit
One of the most notable controversies involving Lineker occurred in 2016 following the Brexit vote. Lineker, a vocal supporter of remaining in the EU, expressed his dismay at the result on social media, calling it a “catastrophe.”
This led to a backlash from some Twitter users, who accused Lineker of being biased and using his platform as a sports broadcaster to push his political views.
As a result, some people called for Lineker to be sacked from his job at the BBC. Despite the criticism, Lineker refused to back down and continued to express his views on the issue.
This controversy highlighted the challenge faced by public figures who choose to express their political views on social media.
I’ve not tweeted about Brexit for 2 years, but this is so disingenuous it needs calling out. Football fans and lovers of the game in this country saw off the European Super League, not politicians nor Brexit. https://t.co/ndFPtkEMd0
— Gary Lineker ???????? (@GaryLineker) October 6, 2021
Lineker’s Tweet About Conspiracy Theories
More recently, Lineker found himself embroiled in another controversy, this time over a tweet he made about a quarter.
Lineker tweeted that he found it “fascinating” that a quarter of the UK population could believe in conspiracy theories.
This led to a backlash from some Twitter users, who accused Lineker of being elitist and out of touch with the views of ordinary people.
While Lineker did not apologize for his tweet, he did acknowledge that his choice of words could have been better.
This controversy once again highlighted the challenges faced by public figures who choose to express their opinions on social media.
Russian Donors: Lineker’s Tweet about Conservative Party
- Former footballer and television presenter, Gary Lineker, caused controversy in February 2022 when he tweeted about the Conservative party receiving money from “Russian donors“.
- Lineker retweeted a story about then-foreign secretary Liz Truss urging football teams to boycott the Champions League final in Russia, and added his own commentary on the issue.
- The tweet quickly gained attention and sparked a debate about the relationship between political parties and their donors.
- However, Lineker’s tweet was not without consequences. The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) received a complaint about the tweet and ultimately upheld it, stating that it did not meet the BBC’s editorial standards on impartiality.
- Lineker, who is one of the BBC’s highest-profile stars, was not required to uphold the same high standards of impartiality as its journalists, but he had an “additional responsibility” due to his profile, according to the ECU.
- The ruling stated that individuals like Lineker are expected to avoid taking sides on party political issues or political controversies and to take care when addressing public policy matters.
- The controversy around Lineker’s tweet highlights the importance of impartiality in journalism and the media. It also brings attention to the issue of political donations and their potential influence on political parties and their policies.
- While there is nothing inherently wrong with accepting donations from individuals or organizations, it is crucial that parties remain transparent about the sources of their funding and that donors do not have undue influence over policy decisions.
- In the case of Russian donors, there have been concerns about their potential influence on Western politics in recent years.
- Russia has been accused of interfering in elections and spreading disinformation to sway public opinion in its favor.
- As a result, there have been calls for political parties to be cautious about accepting donations from Russian sources and to ensure that they do not compromise their impartiality or integrity.
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Lineker’s Qatar World Cup Controversy
The decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar has been a topic of intense debate since it was announced in 2010.2
While the country is excited to host the world’s biggest sporting event, there are concerns about the human rights record of the host country and the treatment of migrant workers.
Human Rights Record
- Critics have pointed to the country’s poor human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers who make up the majority of the workforce in Qatar.
- Migrant workers are employed in construction, infrastructure development, and other industries that are necessary for the successful hosting of the World Cup.
- However, many of these workers are subjected to poor working conditions, low wages, and exploitation.
- There have also been concerns about discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal.
- Despite this, Qatar is hosting one of the most significant sporting events in the world, and there are fears that the country’s human rights record will be overshadowed by the excitement of the tournament.
BBC Coverage
During the opening of the BBC’s coverage of the Qatar World Cup, former footballer and BBC presenter Gary Lineker spoke out against the country’s human rights record and the treatment of migrant workers.
Lineker’s comments were met with widespread support, but they also drew criticism from some quarters.
BBC journalist Emily Maitlis, who has faced impartiality breaches in the past, tweeted that while Lineker was free to question Qatar’s human rights record, he couldn’t do the same in the UK.
Lineker had previously criticized the foreign secretary’s comments on LGBTQ+ rights during the tournament, drawing attention to the issue.
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Gary Lineker: Personal Information
| Celebrated Name | Gary Lineker |
|---|---|
| Age | 62 Years Old |
| Nick Name | Gary |
| Birth Name | Gary Lineker |
| Birth Date | 1960-11-30 |
| Gender | Male |
| Profession | Sports Broadcaster |
| Birth Nation | England |
| Nationality | English |
| Place Of Birth | Leicester |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Mother | Margaret P. (Abbs) |
| Father | Barry Lineker |
| Brothers | Wayne |
| School | Caldecote Road School |
Gary Lineker: Trivia
- Gary Lineker is a well-known name in the world of football.3
- He was born on November 30, 1960, in Leicester, United Kingdom, under the birth sign Sagittarius.
- Lineker attended the City of Leicester Boys’ School, where he was a member of the cricket and soccer teams.
- Lineker played professionally for a total of five different clubs during the course of his career, the most notable of which were Leicester City, Barcelona, and Tottenham Hotspur.
- Gary Lineker was born to Barry and Margaret Lineker, who raised him in Leicester, England.
- In 1986, he married Michelle Cockayne, and the couple had four sons: George, Harry, Tobias, and Angus.
- They were married for 20 years before they divorced in 2006. In 2009, Lineker married Danielle Lineker, but the couple announced their separation in 2016.
- Gary Lineker is a football legend who has left a lasting impression on the sport.
Gary Lineker: Net Worth 2023
Gary Lineker is a well-known name in the world of soccer and sports broadcasting.4
With a net worth estimated to be around $35 million as of 2023, he is undoubtedly one of the wealthiest personalities in the sports industry.
Source of Wealth
Gary Lineker’s primary source of wealth is his career in sports broadcasting. He has worked with several high-profile sports broadcasting networks, including BBC, BT Sport, and Al Jazeera Sports, among others.
In addition to this, he has also been a part of numerous sports shows and documentaries that have contributed to his net worth.
Apart from his media career, Gary Lineker has also made a considerable amount of money through his football career. He played for various football clubs, including Leicester City, Barcelona, and Tottenham Hotspur, among others.
He was known for his incredible goal-scoring abilities and was one of the most sought-after footballers of his time.
Annual Salary
As of 2023, Gary Lineker’s annual salary from his professional career is estimated to be around $2 million.
This includes his earnings from his sports broadcasting career and various endorsements he has signed over the years. He is one of the highest-paid sports broadcasters in the world and is still very much in demand in the industry.
Personal Assets
Gary Lineker’s net worth allows him to lead a lavish and luxurious lifestyle. He owns a luxurious home and a superior car, which are among his most significant personal assets.
His home is located in the heart of London and is worth several million dollars. He is also known for his love of fast cars and has a collection of high-end vehicles in his garage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Gary Lineker has been involved in several controversies over the years, many of which have centered around his comments on social media.
While Lineker is entitled to his own opinions, his controversies illustrate the challenges faced by public figures who choose to express their political or personal views on social media.
As we navigate the digital age, it is important for individuals to be mindful of the impact their words can have and to consider the potential consequences before hitting “send.”
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