Lineker ‘snubs’ to host
QATAR’S World Cup chief has accused Gary Lineker of being prejudiced against the organisation.
Hassan Al-Thawadi claimed the Match of the Day host snubbed bids by organisers to talk to him before blasting them on air.
It follows the storm over Qatar’s ban on same-sex relationships and treatment of migrant workers.
Al-Thawadi said he had “looked up to” the ex-England striker growing up, “so it was very disappointing that he never bothered to engage. We reached out many times”.
But Lineker tweeted: “Well, this is news to me. Neither my agent nor myself received any request to engage with anyone involved.”
The Qatar boss also said comments on the Beeb by Jurgen Klinsmann were “very elitist, orientalist and racist to a certain extent”.
The ex-Germany star accused Qatar of “working” the referee, adding: “This is their culture.” Klinsmann said his comments were “purely football related”.