Gary Lineker is crammed into the trunk of a speeding Fiat Punto. There are echoes of the opening of Asif Kapadia’s film on Diego Maradona in the scene’s sharp, frantic, and narrow turns, and from behind the driver shifting through the gears, there is a grimace. “I’ve never felt so close to Diego,” says the former England striker, barely audible over the sound of cobblestones and sirens. “If only it was Naples.”
This instead is Rome. Lineker has arrived to receive an Amnesty International Award for Sport and Human Rights. Here, not adhering to sport is commended, not criticized, and certainly not punished. “Many people appreciate it when footballers have a voice and use their platform; when they don’t, it’s typically because they disagree with the opinion,” he says as the city rushes by. It is fascinating to be in Italy at this time, given their current government. A silence is followed by a laugh. “I doubt they are aware of it. This is a kind gesture. “I’m certain that the recent uproar brought me here.”
Furore is an appropriate term; if there is a recurring motif in Lineker’s speech, bewilderment senses that the situation grew so large.
How that tweet, you know the one, lead to that. To a media frenzy, his suspension from the BBC, a mass exit, and the worst-ever episode of Match of the Day. “I’m still surprised; it was strange and surreal,” he says, “but it was also the perfect storm, a chance to attack the corporation and me.” “A kind of vendetta,” he describes it as.
On 7 March, Lineker responded to Suella Braverman’s presentation of her “stop the boats” measure via Twitter, calling it “beyond awful” and comparing some of the languages to that used by Nazi Germany during the 1930s. And he believed that was that.
It was not the case.
“I awoke, got a cup of coffee, and then opened my phone,” he recalls. Two hundred thirty-seven WhatsApp communications. Fuck! What has occurred? Is this a significant scandal? Is it among the children? I opened one and saw the front page of the Daily Mail. I responded, “Pfft, that’s it?” And I felt this way throughout. And I kept wondering, “Am I overlooking something?” Why have reporters been outside my door for six days and on the front page of every single publication every single day? This is absurd!’ It is so out of proportion with what I did.”
The allegation was that he had violated BBC impartiality rules, although as a sports presenter and independent contractor, they may not have applied to him. And,” Lineker says of the corporation’s director-general, “when Tim Davie first sort of thrust the guidelines upon us, I said there were two areas in which I would not budge: climate change and the refugee crisis.” I told him, ‘When we first sat down, you concurred.’ I believed they were humanitarian concerns, not political ones, although politics permeates everything…
“All I was asking for was empathy, a little compassion for people in a perilous situation, forced to abandon their country. Imagine if you had to flee London for some inexplicable reason, a bombing or whatever; imagine what it would take to abandon your home with only the clothes on your back. It also involves language. They use the terms swarm and invasion, as well as criminals and predators. They yell “Stop the boats,” but there are individuals on those vessels. Sometimes it seems we have to be reminded that they are human beings.
The overwhelming majority have endured unimaginable suffering.
“When I was playing, I was quite chilly. In contrast to today, we did not discuss these issues back then; I am so pleased with how our athletes conduct themselves now. I believe I am a very different person now. Things change as you age and have children: you read more and further your education. I don’t recall a specific turning point, but when I recall the refugee crisis in Greece and people drowning, I remember thinking, “God, this is terrible.” However, there is a portion of society that lacks compassion.
“Look, I continue to live my life, and I may still be selfish in some areas, but I have other concerns now.” There is a smile and a spark of defiance. “Additionally, the more I am urged, the more I move in the opposite direction. This has always been my character. When you support refugees, people will prod you. Then you shelter them. You have lost contact with reality. Well then. I will comply. I’ve got capacity.
“Someone sent out the standard tweet, ‘Stick to football, you wouldn’t have them in your home,'” the sentence reads. Someone responded, “Gary, you might be interested in this,” with a link to the organization Refugees At Home, so I clicked. There were numerous alternatives, and I thought, “Actually, I can do that.” I completed the form by checking the appropriate options. They visit you to ensure your well-being and inspect your home.
They called and said, “We have someone for you to host; his name is Rasheed.”
He’s from Balochistan, which doesn’t exist anymore: sandwiched between Pakistan and Iran, it was torn apart during the conflict. His acquaintances went missing in large numbers. He escaped, is intelligent, and is now pursuing law at a university in West London. He desires to return and attempt to reclaim his country. And he was superb. My sons are privileged and grew up in favorable conditions, and he provided them with a sense of perspective. Most nights I cooked for him, but he occasionally cooked for the guys. They became close friends.”
“The second individual was a young Turkish boy named…”
Lineker pauses. “Better” I don’t utter his name. It’s quite the tale. He is an exceptionally intelligent child who aspires to become a rocket scientist. To supplement his studies, he enters the army at around the age of 17 or 18 in Istanbul. One day, 400 recruits are assembled for a training mission. However, it was not a training mission; rather, it was a military rebellion. Against [Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan. He was unaware. They were imprisoned for 18 months, then released by a magistrate, but the government reversed the decision. Approximately one hundred fled the country.
“He’s only a child, he’s done nothing wrong, and he’s only followed directions. He was in our Home Office system for 18 months and claimed that, at times, it was worse than prison in Turkey, especially the location in Kent. Pretty bleak for him. He is a very nice child. Bristol University granted him a complete scholarship. He desires employment with NASA! However, only one refugee who conducts a crime is mentioned.
Many Britons commit crimes. Furthermore, there is no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker; asylum is a legal privilege. People misrepresent it and make the rhetoric and language worse.
“We would watch football together even though Rasheed had zero interest,” Lineker recalls. Both disliked football. However, I convinced them to watch it anyway. I believe they were thinking, “This guy is a little too enthusiastic.”
One evening, for the first time in thirty years, he sat at home and watched Match of the Day due to a BBC ban. His co-presenters, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, had refused to go on air, and shortly, commentators, staff, and players followed suit. The show was brief, stripped down, and in no way resembled Match of the Day, despite claims from the usual suspects that it was wonderful without the woke lefties.
Lineker chuckles. “Well, the viewership numbers were higher, but only for two minutes before everyone tuned out. I also slathered it on. I was unaware that they weren’t even going to play the music, but everyone was incredibly supportive. It was an extraordinary few days, truly stirring. A little overpowering. It began with Ian Wright bowing out, then 20 minutes later Alan Shearer did the same – it may have been slightly more difficult for him – and it was ‘wow, wow’.
“We have a WhatsApp group, and I’d said, ‘I have a hunch they’ll remove me from Match of the Day if I don’t move.’ I was asked to make a statement, but I insisted I had nothing for which to repent. I maintain this view. Wrighty stated, “If they do, I’m not doing the show.” I am aware that he has strong convictions, but when he tweeted it, I was like, “Pfft… ” Alan then did it. I sobbed. I wept. And I was in tears and moved into the rear of a taxi.
I was extremely moved. I told them I could never sufficiently thank them.
Lineker exclaims ecstatically, “I adore Wrighty!” “He is intelligent, articulate, and strong on significant issues. We’ve always gotten along, even though I once took a goal from him for England. We’re vying for the same position, and the objective is simple: toe out, steal it… off him! Also competing for the golden footwear was history. On the final day of 1992, I had 27, while he had 26. I scored and entered the locker room thinking I’d done it. I inquire about the tallies and he has scored three goals in the last 20 minutes.
“Everyone contributed: the production crew was phenomenal. The personnel, the camera operators, and the commentators. They were not required to do it. Extraordinary. Even the general public. When I entered M&S, I received a round of ovations, which was extremely bizarre. It was so humiliating. It was as if I had accomplished nothing.”
Greg Dyke, a former BBC and Football Association chief, stated that he had won 5-0 when Lineker was reinstated and the BBC backed down. The presenter remarks, “I didn’t consider it a victory.” “We are all on the same team. I felt that the entire situation was superfluous. I told Tim at the conclusion, ‘I don’t hold grievances, we’re on the same team. This is the BBC. Let’s ignore it.’ He was excellent in this regard; he did what was necessary to get things back on track.”
The irony is that the allegation that Lineker was engaging in politics was so blatantly political, and senior BBC appointments are made by the government, which he believes should not occur. “Pressure was emanating from somewhere. You must avoid alienating those who genuinely adore the BBC by attempting to placate those on the far right who want to defund the BBC regardless. Due to the license fee, this is a challenging proposition, but we should emphasize the excellent value we provide.
This is difficult because of the ‘we pay your wages’ sentiment, and because they now publish the compensation, of which I am at the top.
“That does indeed make me uneasy. I work in a genre that pays extremely well, delivers the largest audiences, and is highly competitive. I’m distinctive among presenters because I’ve played at the highest level and labored very hard to get here. But can I rationalize my salary against a nurse? No. Not. However, that is not how it works. Was I able to earn more elsewhere? Absolutely. However, I’ve always enjoyed working for the BBC. Due to the love-hate relationship that some individuals have with the corporation, the voyage is choppy.
“I comprehend the concept of impartiality in its entirety, but they erred. That was acknowledged and corrected. Some individuals, including some newspapers, will continue to criticize the BBC at every opportunity. Occasionally, we do not strive for our cause. Sometimes we live in too great apprehension of what others may think, particularly those who will never love the BBC regardless.
Time to keep to football, then. “Do we have to?” With Leicester’s relegation, this is even more agonizing, Lineker jokes. First, he argues that the debate over whether Manchester City is the greatest team ever is “a bit clickbait: it’s a bit silly and certainly premature before they’ve even won the Champions League.”
“However,” he continues, “they are playing phenomenal football and have an exceptional coach. People are concerned about one team dominating the league forever due to their affluence, but I don’t see that happening because I believe Pep is doing it. When he departs, they’ll face tremendous difficulty. The ingenuity with which he improves competitors is astounding.
He’s unique. I’ve never witnessed a team reach the byline so frequently. And they don’t accomplish this by defeating players: it’s ‘in there, in there, thread it through, and he’s in’. Brilliant. I used to think, “God, I hope they acquire a legitimate striker.” [Erling] Haaland’s ideal. I envision myself playing up front for that team as I observe them. Oh my God!
Regarding City’s style of play, I do not have any reservations. However, you must take into account how they acquired those individuals. It’s ‘only’ charges at this point; they’ll likely hire very potent solicitors, and this could continue. However, it will inevitably be a shadow. There are numerous charges presented by the Premier League; who would want to do one themselves? I’d be concerned if a team won 17 titles in 20 years, but I don’t believe that will happen, in part because we have more than one state-owned club, which I oppose. Unfortunately, that train has already departed the station.”
Unfortunately, so has Leicester. “We labored during the pandemic. The proprietors of duty-free businesses suffered a massive loss. We needed to recruit but were unable to. Before the World Cup, we were genuinely doing well, but since then, our confidence has been shattered and we’ve become hopeless. Brendan Rodgers finished fifth twice, ninth once and won the FA Cup, so I would have stayed with him. The press is unjust to him. He had earned the right to falter in his efforts to keep us in the game. There was a brief moment of panic, and they fired him without a true plan.
Lineker continues as the Punto draws up for the presentation on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, where an Italian waits with an England shirt to be signed; light blue, 1990, when the World Cup was held in Italy. “I told my distraught sons, ‘At least we had that experience, and it was miraculous.'” I never imagined in my lifetime that we would win the FA Cup, let alone the league. And we will always possess this. We will be in the Championship, likely return, and win more games. But yes, it’s grim. Honestly, it’s ridiculous. I’m an adult! I’m 62 years old, but I still care about my team’s football results. It simply does not go away.”
