Gary Lineker - foot in mouth again

Defend what? That 'it's the worst thing he has seen' that is completely subjective. That it's utterly awful? You want someone to defend himself for saying 1000s of dead children is 'utterly awful'?

I wouldn’t say I hate him and I don’t even know his personal life so you have more interest there

I do think if he’s keen to express opinions he’ll get public opinion in return and some will be pro some not

I genuinely think in 5 years time people will wonder wtf came over them that they were frothing on the Internet about a man calling 1000s of dead children 'the worst thing he has ever seen' and 'utterly awful'.

@CurlewKate simply because he has a very high public profile as a result of being the state broadcaster’s highest paid presenter and fronting a weekly television show with a massive reach. I’m also happy to say that before I reached my conclusions on the Gaza / Israel conflict I researched it thoroughly from the perspective of both sides and would be very happy to be interviewed by anyone on it.

I can’t imagine expressing a public view on something like this without fully understanding it and being able to defend it.

@TextureSeeker Brits hate it when people don't know their place. Lineker is articulate, doesn't take himself too seriously and is happy to express his opinions. He also has enough money and business interests to not be afraid of expressing them on any platform available to him. His views are openly left of centre. He appears to have successfully managed a divorce and amicably co parented 4 children, now grown up that he appears to have a happy relationship with. Yes, that's enough for some Brits to hate him!

Honestly what an absolute Cunt with his compasion for women and children being bombed and starved.
He should just take his genocide opposition and F off, unless of course he also takes time to condem every other war in history as well.
Otherwise he should certainly just stick to crisps and football

Speaking on this. Do other presenters get known for it as much?

Then throw in the impartiality of the BBC

I reckon the ‘Hamas thing’ wasn’t helpful to him and he’s spoken up on other stuff which compounds the public view. Some will applaud it others won’t

He will say his bit but people will respond

@Hippyhippybake "Given he’s so keen to share his opinions on the Middle East it’s a pity he doesn’t subject himself to a really rigorous interview on the subject."
Why? I have opinions on the subject, but I'm not in a position to be rigorously interviewed. Why should he be?

What stance? That it's the worst thing he has seen? Honestly this whole thing is bizarre. Man shows compassion after seeing 100s of images of 100s of children blown to pieces and he's told actually no you've seen worse. How is showing compassion for 1000s of dead children a 'stance'. He calls what is happening 'utterly awful', again surely we aren't at the point where that is seen as a 'stance', surely the world agrees that 1000s of dead children is 'utterly awful'.

I'm not British and don't really know who the bloke is other than a 'sports guy', is he just hated anyway is that why really benign comments are being jumped on or do people genuinely see someone acknowledging what is happening to Palestinians as controversial?

I’m not in X either so he very little sway here

But if he is going to take this particular stance he’ll get people’s opinions in return

Given he’s so keen to share his opinions on the Middle East it’s a pity he doesn’t subject himself to a really rigorous interview on the subject.

It’s also interesting how he’s completely silent on the Trans males in sport issue.

I don't think that being famous adds credibility to your views. I don't, however, have a problem with famous people using their platform to express their views. Why shouldn't they? Incidentally, Lineker is not a member of the news team, so doesn't have to be impartial. And I suspect he is in a position to not mind if he loses his BBC contract.

It's always been that way, long before twitter. People who get their views and opinions from celebs need to check themselves but unfortunately they don't. The skills of critical thinking are dying fast.

I agree.
His opinion gets weighted by his visibility. People who can really make a difference are working quietly out of view like diplomatic elves while the twitterati scurry around picking up crumbs of rhetoric to make a meal of.

People seem to think (I don't mean you OP 😊) that because someone is famous, it means their opinions on areas completely outside their chosen field are useful, or meaningful.

This. I'll add Meryl Streep and the Harry Potter stars. It's really bizarre. You're entitled to your opinion but let's lose the smug grandstanding as you're not particularly well-informed and I'd rather ask a random person on the street (ish) than have to sit through their political/woke drivel at awards.

Gary is very smug, also not particularly well-informed and seems to push the boundaries of his BBC contract as frequently and gleefully as possible. So yes, it's fair that licence payers question whether he's breaking impartiality guidelines given he's one of their top earners/biggest costs. He's welcome to move to Sky and preach as much as he wants, yet seems strangely reticent to get off the MOTD gravy train.

I don’t agree, but you’re entitled to your opinion. The sensible majority are free to ignore him, and if they do, he’ll have no currency at all outside the world of crazy twitter people and football fans.
im not on twitter and have no interest in football and I’m pleased to say that he impinges on my life not one jot.

@Marjoriefrobisher "He does seem to be making a habit of moralising in public"

AKA expressing compassionate views.

He does seem to be making a habit of moralising in public, I suppose. But we don’t have to pay attention. He’s hardly the first person to be competent in some areas but a bit of a tit in others. Why not just ignore him

@YaMuvva "No but he is hardly the good boy he makes out to be (nothing to do with his views) and I inwardly scream when he comes over all righteous."

Righteous. AKA compassionate.

Does he make out he's a "good boy"?

Not naming the poster here in case they don’t want to join in this conversation.

More like in case they point out you’re talking shit.

I’m not interested in joining this conversation. I’m also not interested in derailing this thread with a bunfight. Please don’t reply or bring up misrepresentations of what I’ve said again.

No but he is hardly the good boy he makes out to be (nothing to do with his views) and I inwardly scream when he comes over all righteous.

Having said that I’m sure Lineker spearheaded a campaign against antisemitism on football a few years ago so I do like to think he’s a Jewish ally on a regular day?

I'd assume Gary Lineker has enough money and sense to employ a competent lawyer.

I don't understand your point. Has Gary Lineker started a secret war or secretly invaded a small country that we don't know about.

People like Mr Lineker shouldn’t throw stones in glass houses. That’s all I’m saying.