Le Tissier brands Wright’s solidarity with Lineker as ‘completely contradictory’
Matt Le Tissier has branded Ian Wright's solidarity with Gary Lineker as "completely contradictory."
Lineker was reportedly told to step down from hosting Match Of The Day by the BBC following his remarks regarding the Tory government's immigration policy, although conflicting sources claim he wasn't given a choice in the matter.
The BBC's decision to eject Lineker led to a slew of criticism from fans and media personalities alike. And it prompted his fellow pundits Wright and Alan Shearer to excuse themselves from presenting Saturday's MOTD programme to show solidarity with Lineker.
ALSO READ: Fans joke ‘no one left to present Match of the Day’ after pundits follow Lineker out
Wright said on Twitter: "Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity." But Wright's stance has been challenged by Le Tissier who called out the Arsenal legend for not showing him and others the same support when they were given the boot from pundit roles.
Speaking on GB News, Le Tissier said of Wright's "inconsistent" behaviour: "It's really interesting as Ian is taking a stand for his mate and fellow TV worker. But what's really interesting about it is that if you go back three years and have a look at the reaction of Ian Wright to the sacking of myself, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas and you will see that reaction is completely contradictory to the way he acted to this.
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"It's all very well taking this stand but you know, let's show a bit of consistency with this Wrighty. If you're watching you know what I'm on about. He certainly didn't stand in solidarity with the three of us. It was a case of old people that have had their time and it's time to move onto some younger people. It was along those lines. It shouldn't be too hard to find it."
Le Tissier felt Wright's wrath when he claimed that he, Thompson and Nicholas were sacked by Sky Sports for being "middle-aged white men," amid the introduction of pundits Alex Scott and Micah Richards. But Wright took Le Tissier's remarks personally and retorted: "I've had to pull the car over – the racism is going through the roof today.
"Can someone answer me this: what does Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Sol Campbell, Clinton Morrison or any other black pundit have to do with Sky's decision to get rid of these guys? All because three middle-aged white guys got the sack… I kiss my teeth.
"Why are people upset? Alex Scott, for me, is easily one of the best-prepared pundits out there. Easily. Micah Richards is the most exciting pundit to hit the scene in years. Keep their names out of your stinking unbrushed-teeth mouths."
Le Tissier's also clashed with Wright's pal Lineker in the past on social media after the England legend challenged his views on the Covid pandemic. After their row, Le Tissier accused Lineker of "never doing anything wrong in his life.".
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