SHUT IT, LINEKER
Pearson’s angry blast at BBC host
NIGEL PEARSON ripped into Leicester legend Gary Lineker yesterday, claiming the Match of the Day host almost cost him his job as the club’s manager.
Pearson accused Lineker and pundits Danny Murphy and Jermaine Jenas of ‘making a mountain out of a molehill’ after his altercation with James McArthur, when he put his hands around the Crystal Palace midfielder’s throat.
Pearson is believed to have been sacked by a member of the Srivaddhanaprabha family, who own Leicester, on Sunday before the decision was reversed.
Lineker, who made more than 200 appearances for Leicester, suggested this version of events on Twitter yesterday but was already the target of Pearson’s anger for highlighting the McArthur incident on the BBC.
Pearson also alluded to unfounded allegations that Lineker was involved in a tax-avoidance scheme.
He said: ‘It’s not helpful when the three fountains of knowledge on Match of the Day make a mountain out of a molehill. There was nothing in that on Saturday. The lad’s OK and it was very light-hearted.
‘Our owners are fine. You’re looking for news which is not there. I thought (the Match of the Day team) were slightly disruptive. I don’t care what they think of me. I pay my tax bill.’
Lineker’s response came via Twitter
Chairman of duty-free franchise King Power. Took over at Leicester in 2010 and his family have put £120million into the club with the promise of another £180m over the next few years. Leaves the dayto-day running of the club to the chief executive and his son Aiyawatt.