Gary Lineker has split opinions over comments he made during France's defeat by Spain (Image: Getty)
Gary Lineker has enraged some Euro 2024 fans after joking that France were “all about the left” during the country’s defeat by Spain on Tuesday. The comment referenced the last week's French legislative election results, in which a left-wing alliance helped to defeat Marine Le Pen's right-wing National Rally party.
Debate has raged in France over Kylian Mbappe's performances on the left wing. The forward suffered a broken nose during Les Bleus' first match and subsequently wore a protective mask during each of his remaining appearances at the tournament. It appeared to prohibit his displays, as he scored just once in Germany.
Lineker had joked at half-time that the narrative had been "all about the left" in France, referencing Mbappe's performances and the recent elections. He then laughed, prompting fans to criticise him on social media.
@DannyJo01551036 called for Lineker’s sacking, posting on X: "Gary lineker just before the second half started was again going on about politics BBC needs to sack him now!"
@DaveMUFC___ fumed: "Gary Lineker with a pathetic political point there at the end.@BBCSport get rid of this clown."
@CurlySpanner007 added: "Lineker just laughed saying it was all about the left in France and laughed before he handed over to the commentary team.@Ofcom let’s see what you say about this?"
@SirHardBoiled77 was also frustrated at what they felt was a political comment. They said: "Trust Lineker to shoehorn in about the left in France during half time in the France v Spain game #bbcsport."
@RicoCharpentier continued the outrage, writing: "@BBCSport @Ofcom Gary Lineker- 'France is all about the Left this week' This is why Gary Lineker should not be representing a publicly funded, supposedly unbiased media outlet It’s not correct I should have to be concerned with @GaryLineker‘s political views watching football."
Gary Lineker has upset BBC viewers with a reference to the French legislative election (Image: Getty)
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It comes after Lineker was reportedly not offered a role in the BBC’s new Champions League highlights programme. The 63-year-old is claimed to have held talks but Gabby Logan is set to be announced as the presenter of the 16-show series that begins next season.
Lineker’s reluctance to travel from his west London home to the BBC’s Salford studios in midweek is understood to have played a role in his thinking. He has also enjoyed huge success with his The Rest Is Football podcast, which is owned by his Goalhanger Podcasts company.