BBC pundit Gary Lineker is under fire once again for his political beliefs after the former England international branded the United States of America “an extraordinarily racist country.”
Lineker, who has not been afraid to make his stance clear on various political issues in the past, took aim at World Cup host nation Qatar’s human rights record in a monologue to open the BBC’s coverage of the tournament.
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Qatar hit back by branding the BBC’s coverage as “very racist” and claimed they had reached out to discuss the issued raised with Lineker before the tournament, although the pundit denied that was the case.
But Lineker once again went on the offensive when discussing the next hosts of the World Cup.
“We pointed facts out at the beginning of the tournament, those facts remain” Lineker told The News Agents podcast.
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“So, lots of people were killed doing the stadiums. Yes, the stadiums are extraordinary, but at a great price. Homophobia is an issue here, women’s rights are a little bit of an issue here.
“For me, it was always really more about the corruption side of it because, as I said previously, I think pretty much every country, including our own, has got issues.
“And we’re off to America in four years’ time, with Canada and Mexico, but obviously America’s an extraordinarily racist country.
“So, there’s always issues but it was more the fact that we just pointed out a few facts and particularly the aspect of it being so corrupt – they said it was going to be summer and it was in the winter.
“I don’t think anything’s particularly changed but it’s been a cracking tournament but that’s football; football is a wonderful sport.”
Lineker’s comments no doubt have BBC bosses sweating given the broadcaster places great importance on remaining impartial to various issues.
US STAR ‘DISAPPOINTED’ AT COACH, TEAMMATES AS ‘EXTREME’ BEHAVIOUR ISSUES REVEALED
Gio Reyna has hit back at US coach Gregg Berhalter over comments regarding the Borussia Dortmund forward’s behaviour during the World Cup.
Reyna, widely regarded as one of the most talented young players in US soccer, was hardly used by Berhalter in Qatar, where the Americans reached the last 16.
The 20-year-old’s limited involvement was the source of intense speculation, with Berhalter suggesting Reyna was not fully fit — a claim contradicted by the player.
Recent US media reports have lifted the lid on tensions between Reyna and Berhalter, revealing that the player was almost sent home because of his attitude during training sessions.
Reyna was allowed to stay in the squad after being forced to apologise in front of his teammates, the reports said.
Without naming Reyna directly, Berhalter appeared to confirm the reports at a recent conference on “moral leadership” in New York.
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Berhalter told the conference the US team staff had “a player that was clearly not meeting expectations on and off the field”.
He added: “We were ready to book a plane ticket home, that’s how extreme it was.”
In a statement posted on Instagram, Reyna acknowledged that he had reacted badly after being informed by Berhalter shortly before the World Cup that he would have a “very limited” role at the tournament.
“I fully acknowledge that I let my emotions get the best of me and affect my training and behaviour for a few days,” Reyna said.
“I am disappointed that there is continuing coverage of this matter (as well as some highly fictionalised versions of events) and extremely surprised that anyone on the US men’s team staff would contribute to it.”
Reyna said Berhalter had always stated that issues within the team would remain “in-house”.
“I hoped not to comment on matters at the World Cup. It is my belief that things that happen in a team setting ought to remain private.”
ENGLAND, WALES FANS HAILED FOR ‘EXEMPLARY BEHAVIOUR’ IN HISTORIC WORLD CUP FIRST
English and Welsh fans have been hailed for their “exemplary behaviour” after not a single fan from either nation was arrested at the World Cup for the first time ever.
Mark Roberts, chief constable for Cheshire police and head of the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), revealed there was no trouble from the travelling supporters who descended on Qatar.
Many may point to Qatar’s heavy alcohol restrictions as the primary reason behind the stunning figure, which Roberts conceded “helped to some degree”.
However, the police chief believed it would be “wrong to entirely attribute this excellent behaviour” to the booze ban.
“The behaviour of England and Wales out in Qatar was absolutely exemplary,” Roberts said.
“Throughout the home nations’ involvement in the tournament there were no arrests or incidents to report, which is a credit to all those who travelled.
“In Russia 2014 there were three arrests, but obviously [due to] having two teams in this tournament we played double the group-stage games, including a home nations derby, which underlines the good nature of our fans.
“I would also like to praise all the UK officers who travelled out to Qatar for the work they have done in helping to keep British nationals safe during the past four weeks.
“The atmosphere at all the home nations’ games was passionate but friendly, and it would be fantastic to see this replicated at matches back home throughout the rest of the season.
“Traditionally we do have few arrests of our fans at World Cups, but to have zero isn’t something we have seen before.
“It would be wrong to entirely attribute this excellent behaviour to the restrictions on alcohol in Qatar, but I do think it has helped to some degree.”
Although there may have been no arrests made in Qatar, the UKFPU stated 531 football-related incidents took place domestically, with 115 arrests made.
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LLORIS LIFTS LID ON TEXT MESSAGE SENT TO KANE AFTER STAR’S SHOCK PENALTY MISS
Hugo Lloris has revealed he spoke to Harry Kane in the aftermath of the England captain’s crucial World Cup penalty miss against France and has backed his Tottenham teammate to bounce back quickly from his Qatar disappointment.
Kane had already scored one penalty in Saturday’s quarter-final against France goalkeeper Lloris before blazing another late kick over the bar, allowing the holders to beat England 2-1 and advance to the last four at the expense of Gareth Southgate’s side.
“We had a text after the game. It was not easy to find the words straight after and I think he needed some rest,” said Lloris, who has played alongside Kane at Spurs since 2013.
“It is a difficult time obviously for the English national team and for Harry but I think he can be proud of what he has done in this World Cup.
“Top players have missed important penalties in their careers, like Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, like Kylian Mbappe.
“I have no doubt Harry will keep his chin up and he will help Tottenham and the national team to shine.” The pair will be reunited at their club after the tournament in Qatar with Tottenham’s next Premier League game scheduled for December 26 away against Brentford.