'A bit of light-hearted fun' Gary Lineker wearing Italy shirt sparks complaints
THE BBC have today defended football host Gary Lineker wearing an Italy shirt during coverage of a World Cup game after receiving complaints from viewers.
The former England striker wore an Azzurri jersey on Friday when the Italians faced Costa Rica in Brazil.
The Three Lions needed Italy to win to keep alive their small chance of going through alive but Andrea Pirlo's side fell to a 1-0 defeat.
The Beeb said the 53-year-old wore the shirt during the BBC One coverage as a bit of "light hearted fun" after receiving 159 complaints.
The shirt was simply a bit of light-hearted fun
The BBC said: "As Gary Lineker explained at the very outset of the programme, England's survival in the World Cup depended on Italy beating Costa Rica.
"The shirt was simply a bit of light-hearted fun to acknowledge the fact that many millions of supporters were desperately hoping Italy would win their match, thus keeping England in the competition."
England drew 0-0 with Costa Rica on Tuesday in the final Group D match.
They were knocked out after claiming just a single point in what marked England's worst ever World Cup performance.