World Cup presenter Gary Lineker provides update on BBC future

Gary Lineker hits out at BBC over past World Cup coverage

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BBC’s World Cup host Gary Lineker has given an update on his future at the broadcaster, having spent 20 years on the TV screen after retiring from his footballing career. The former England striker has been the face of coverage in Qatar and Match of the Day, but has admitted that this tournament may be his last as his contract begins to wind down.

Lineker has covered six World Cup tournaments since taking over from Des Lynam in 1999 when the broadcaster moved to ITV, but in an interview the two conducted with The Telegraph Lynam questioned Lineker about his future. Lynam asked: “Will you still be there at the next one?”

Lineker was candid in his response. “I don’t know, Des. I’ve got a contract for another couple of years and that will take me into my mid-sixties, so we’ll see,” he said. “The thing is I still love it.”

Lynam also joked that his departure from the BBC made Lineker rich. “ITV threw a ton of money at me, which was one of the reasons I went,” Lynam added. “And they didn’t move away from the rumour that they were going for you and Alan Hansen as well. The BBC bought it hook, line and sinker and shoved the money right up, well certainly Hansen’s rear end, I don’t know about yours Gary. Did they fill it with money?”

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“Well a little bit,” Lineker replied. However, there have been concerns regarding Lineker’s salary at the BBC and one MP previously suggested that his wage could be cut in order to fund local radio stations as Hemel Hempstead representative Mike Penning hit out at the BBC for the loss of 48 jobs in the industry. “If it’s about money, then take half a million pounds out [of] Gary Lineker’s salary or one of the others who earn extortionate salaries,” Penning said as Lineker was the BBC’s top earning on-air talent from 2021/22.

Lineker has faced criticism during this tournament, which has seen the BBC receive 1,500 complaints for his opening World Cup speech where he condemned host nation Qatar for their treatment of migrant workers and criminalisation of same-sex relationships.

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“Ever since FIFA chose Qatar in 2010, the smallest nation to have hosted football’s greatest competition has faced some big questions,” he said ahead of Qatar’s opening match with Ecuador.

“From accusations of corruption in the bidding process to the treatment of migrant workers who built the stadiums, where many lost their lives. Homosexuality is illegal here, women’s rights and freedom of expression are in the spotlight.

“Also, the decision six years ago to switch the World Cup from summer to winter. Against that backdrop, there’s a tournament to be played. One that will be watched and enjoyed around the world. ‘Stick to football’, say FIFA. Well, we will, for a couple of minutes at least.”

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