Gary Linker instructed to stay to soccer by MOTD predecessor

Gary Lineker has been instructed to stay to soccer by his Match of the Day predecessor.

Des Lynam, who offered Match of the Day from 1988 to 1999, criticised his successor for his political interventions.

Speaking on this week’s episode of BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House, Mr Lynam, 80, stated: “I like him as a chap, I like him as a broadcaster.

“But I feel there are some areas that he ought to keep out of.

“For instance, the final World Cup was in Qatar and he went very, very strongly concerning the limitations of society in Qatar.

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“And he is proper, there are, however he isn’t the individual to say it. Get on with the soccer.”

But Lineker, 62, was quick to take to Twitter to respond, saying: “Des is entitled to his opinion… as, in fact, am I.”

The soccer pundit – who was paid £1.35million by the BBC final yr – has extensively posted on social media about refugees, local weather change and Brexit.

He sparked an impartiality row in March over tweets criticising the Government’s small boats crackdown.

The former England footballer compared language used to launch the Illegal Migration Bill to that of 1930s Germany.

Lineker was pulled off air by the corporation, but returned to his Match of the Day presenting role following a boycott by fellow talent.

The BBC has since launched an independent review of its social media guidance for freelancers.

But Lineker has continued to share political views on Twitter.

He today accused the Conservatives and Labour of “abandoning our youngsters’ futures for votes” and a “dereliction of duty” amid wildfires in Greece.

The Match of the Day star was responding to reviews that each events might row again on environmental insurance policies after the Tories pulled off a shock by-election victory in Uxbridge and South Ruislip amid a backlash at London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s growth of the extremely low emission zone (ULEZ).

And earlier this week, he retweeted a submit by Green peer Jenny Jones accusing Home Secretary Suella Braverman of “bullying and pointless” behaviour.

Mrs Braverman had written to Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer over reviews his staff requested a gathering with Just Stop Oil protesters, which he denies.

The BBC declined to remark.