BBC pundit Gary Lineker is underneath fireplace as soon as once more for his political opinions after the previous England worldwide branded the United States of America “a very racist nation.”
Lineker, who has not been afraid to make his stance clear on varied political points up to now, took purpose at World Cup host nation Qatar’s human rights file in a monologue to open the BBC’s protection of the event.
Watch the world’s finest footballers each week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE protection from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Qatar hit again by branding the BBC’s protection as “very racist” and claimed that they had reached out to debate the issued raised with Lineker earlier than the event, though the pundit denied that was the case.
But Lineker as soon as once more went on the offensive when discussing the subsequent hosts of the World Cup.
“We pointed information out firstly of the event, these information stay” Lineker informed The News Agents podcast.
Messi stands tall as Croatia CRUMBLE | 01:04
MORE COVERAGE
Decade-old pic of Messi and teammate goes viral after duo destroy Croatia
‘Sporting god’ Messi delivers all-time masterclass as Argentina attain WC last
‘No, come on!’: Boz and Foster conflict over controversial penalty name as World Cup debate ignites
“So, numerous folks had been killed doing the stadiums. Yes, the stadiums are extraordinary, however at an important value. Homophobia is a matter right here, ladies’s rights are a little bit little bit of a difficulty right here.
“For me, it was all the time actually extra concerning the corruption aspect of it as a result of, as I mentioned beforehand, I feel just about each nation, together with our personal, has received points.
“And we’re off to America in 4 years’ time, with Canada and Mexico, however clearly America’s a very racist nation.
“So, there’s all the time points however it was extra the truth that we simply identified a number of information and significantly the facet of it being so corrupt – they mentioned it was going to be summer time and it was within the winter.
“I don’t assume something’s significantly modified however it’s been a cracking event however that’s soccer; soccer is an excellent sport.”
Lineker’s feedback little doubt have BBC bosses sweating given the broadcaster locations nice significance on remaining neutral to numerous points.
Gary Lineker is not shy relating to making his opinion heard. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
US STAR ‘DISAPPOINTED’ AT COACH, TEAMMATES AS ‘EXTREME’ BEHAVIOUR ISSUES REVEALED
Gio Reyna has hit again at US coach Gregg Berhalter over feedback relating to the Borussia Dortmund ahead’s behaviour throughout the World Cup.
Reyna, broadly thought to be one of the vital proficient younger gamers in US soccer, was hardly utilized by Berhalter in Qatar, the place the Americans reached the final 16.
The 20-year-old’s restricted involvement was the supply of intense hypothesis, with Berhalter suggesting Reyna was not totally match — a declare contradicted by the participant.
Recent US media stories have lifted the lid on tensions between Reyna and Berhalter, revealing that the participant was virtually despatched dwelling due to his perspective throughout coaching classes.
Reyna was allowed to remain within the squad after being compelled to apologise in entrance of his teammates, the stories mentioned.
Without naming Reyna straight, Berhalter appeared to substantiate the stories at a current convention on “ethical management” in New York.
France prepared for Morocco firefight | 00:42
Berhalter informed the convention the US group employees had “a participant that was clearly not assembly expectations on and off the sphere”.
He added: “We had been able to guide a aircraft ticket dwelling, that’s how excessive it was.”
In an announcement posted on Instagram, Reyna acknowledged that he had reacted badly after being knowledgeable by Berhalter shortly earlier than the World Cup that he would have a “very restricted” function on the event.
“I totally acknowledge that I let my feelings get the very best of me and have an effect on my coaching and behavior for a number of days,” Reyna mentioned.
“I’m upset that there’s persevering with protection of this matter (in addition to some extremely fictionalised variations of occasions) and intensely shocked that anybody on the US males’s group employees would contribute to it.”
Reyna mentioned Berhalter had all the time acknowledged that points inside the group would stay “in-house”.
“I hoped to not touch upon issues on the World Cup. It is my perception that issues that occur in a group setting ought to stay non-public.”
Gio Reyna took purpose at US coach Gregg Berhalter. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
ENGLAND, WALES FANS HAILED FOR ‘EXEMPLARY BEHAVIOUR’ IN HISTORIC WORLD CUP FIRST
English and Welsh followers have been hailed for his or her “exemplary behaviour” after not a single fan from both nation was arrested on the World Cup for the primary time ever.
Mark Roberts, chief constable for Cheshire police and head of the United Kingdom Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), revealed there was no bother from the travelling supporters who descended on Qatar.
Many might level to Qatar’s heavy alcohol restrictions as the first cause behind the gorgeous determine, which Roberts conceded “helped to a point”.
However, the police chief believed it might be “improper to completely attribute this glorious behaviour” to the booze ban.
“The behaviour of England and Wales out in Qatar was completely exemplary,” Roberts mentioned.
“Throughout the house nations’ involvement within the event there have been no arrests or incidents to report, which is a credit score to all those that travelled.
No English or Welsh followers had been arrested in Qatar. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“In Russia 2014 there have been three arrests, however clearly [due to] having two groups on this event we performed double the group-stage video games, together with a house nations derby, which underlines the great nature of our followers.
“I’d additionally wish to reward all of the UK officers who travelled out to Qatar for the work they’ve finished in serving to to maintain British nationals secure throughout the previous 4 weeks.
“The environment in any respect the house nations’ video games was passionate however pleasant, and it might be unbelievable to see this replicated at matches again dwelling all through the remainder of the season.
“Traditionally we do have few arrests of our followers at World Cups, however to have zero isn’t one thing we’ve seen earlier than.
“It can be improper to completely attribute this glorious behaviour to the restrictions on alcohol in Qatar, however I do assume it has helped to a point.”
Although there might have been no arrests made in Qatar, the UKFPU acknowledged 531 football-related incidents passed off domestically, with 115 arrests made.
Rogic scores a beautiful equaliser for WBA | 00:36
LLORIS LIFTS LID ON TEXT MESSAGE SENT TO KANE AFTER STAR’S SHOCK PENALTY MISS
Hugo Lloris has revealed he spoke to Harry Kane within the aftermath of the England captain’s essential World Cup penalty miss towards France and has backed his Tottenham teammate to bounce again rapidly from his Qatar disappointment.
Kane had already scored one penalty in Saturday’s quarter-final towards France goalkeeper Lloris earlier than blazing one other late kick over the bar, permitting the holders to beat England 2-1 and advance to the final 4 on the expense of Gareth Southgate’s aspect.
“We had a textual content after the sport. It was not simple to seek out the phrases straight after and I feel he wanted some relaxation,” mentioned Lloris, who has performed alongside Kane at Spurs since 2013.
“It is a tough time clearly for the English nationwide group and for Harry however I feel he might be pleased with what he has finished on this World Cup.
“Top gamers have missed necessary penalties of their careers, like Leo Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, like Kylian Mbappe.
“I’ve little doubt Harry will hold his chin up and he’ll assist Tottenham and the nationwide group to shine.” The pair can be reunited at their membership after the event in Qatar with Tottenham’s subsequent Premier League sport scheduled for December 26 away towards Brentford.
