Leicester Mercury

Lineker lacks support for ‘sexist’ bra Tweet

- Mailbox@leicesterm­ercury.co.uk

GARY Lineker has deleted a Tweet celebratin­g the Lionesses’ victory after some accused the Leicester City legend of “casual sexism”.

Chloe Kelly celebrated her extra time goal to give England a 2-1 victory by whipping off her shirt, earning a yellow card and sporting immortalit­y in the process.

In response, Gary tweeted: “The Lionesses have only gone and done it, and Kelly is England’s heroine, bra none,” reports the Mirror.

The shirtless celebratio­n was a nod to the USA’s Brandi Chastain, who performed a similar celebratio­n after netting the winning penalty in the 1999 World Cup final.

However, Gary’s pun did not go down well with all, with some labelling the former Foxes striker as “unwise”, while others accused him of displaying “casual sexism”, criticisms that led to him remove the message.

He said later: “It was just a play on words, given the celebratio­n.

“I do rubbish like that constantly on here, including on men’s football. I’ve deleted it as many people didn’t see the game so missed the context.”

Another message posted shortly after England secured the win attracted less attention, but was arguably a wittier response. After Gary and his England team-mates were beaten by the Germans at Italia 90, Gary famously said: “Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.”

His updated version reads: “Football is a simple game. 22 women chase a ball for 90 minutes and, at the end, England actually win. Congratula­tions, Lionesses. Fabulous.”

■■Was Gary’s bra Tweet sexist?

 ?? JOE GIDDENS/PA WIRE ?? HISTORY MAKER: England’s match winner, Chloe Kelly
JOE GIDDENS/PA WIRE HISTORY MAKER: England’s match winner, Chloe Kelly

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