BBC’S LINEKER BACKS RUSSIA HOSTING WORLD CUP SAYING WE’RE CORRUPT TOO!
MATCH Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker is facing a furious backlash today after branding his home country “corrupt” and comparing it with Russia.
In an explosive interview with Radio Times, the former England captain bemoaned political corruption in the UK and said we had no right to judge Russia, the country hosting this summer’s World Cup.
Lineker said: “Who are we to start getting judgmental on who should have the World Cup?”
And he added: “We all know how corrupt our country is at times.
“Perhaps we don’t like some things that Putin has done, but we’ll be there, we’ll be their guests.”
The former footballer’s comments were quickly rounded on by politicians – while human rights groups highlighted the countries’ radical differences.
Former shadow home secretary Ann Widdecombe said: “What are his grounds? Perhaps he should try living there.”
Lineker, who will anchor the BBC’s coverage of the Cup, was a guest in Moscow late last year when he fronted the World Cup draw – despite initially saying their being awarded the tournament was “ludicrous”.
At the time, critics described his attendance as “baffling”.
Indeed, the same Lineker three years earlier said Fifa’s “nauseating” corruption made him “feel sick”.
England were snubbed in favour of Russia to host the tournament.
Defending the apparent hypocrisy of being paid to co-host the event, he declared at the time: “If Blatter had still been in charge [disgraced former Fifa boss Sepp Blatter], I would not have done it.”
His latest comments in Radio Times come at a time when relations between Britain and Russia are strained following the nerve agent poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia and complaints by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson that Russia is launching cyber attacks against British infrastructure.
The former striker also said he did not think England fans need worry that it was going to “kick off” in Russia – following reports of organised violent gangs and corrupt police.
“I don’t know what you’re expecting to kick off,” he said.
“Nothing will because it never does, it’ll be fine. What governments do is another matter, but the people of Russia have been very welcoming.”
However, Amnesty International last night warned that Russian police had a “well-earned reputation for brutality”.
And the organisation described Russia’s approach to human rights as “dismal”.
A spokesman said: “Fans heading to Russia should be aware that some of the rights they take for granted in Britain cannot be freely exercised in Russia, and despite official assurances they may come to face this themselves.
“All eyes will be on the Russian police, who have a well-earned reputation for brutality – violently crushing peaceful protests unless expressly pre-approved by the authorities.”
Lineker, 57, is the BBC’s secondhighest paid presenter, pulling in an eye-watering £1.8million a year.
But he is no stranger to controversy and often voices liberal political opinions on Twitter – where he has seven million followers. But he remains unrepentant. He explained: “You know, we’re all entitled to our opinion. Just because I’m a footballer, why shouldn’t I have views on whatever I want?”