‘Gary Lineker should just stick to football.’
That seems to be the stock response to any public utterance from the ex-England captain which doesn’t directly refer to kicking a leather ball of air about. That and of course ‘Shat on [subject of tweet]’.
It is as if a large section of his millions of followers simply cannot comprehend that a 55-year-old man who has travelled and lived around the world could possibly have interests and concerns outside of sport.
Of course if Lineker dares to state anything remotely touching upon social issues or geo-political politics, he is crucified for daring to have an opinion – particularly by those with an opposing view.
Little did the MOTD presenter realise that when he signed his first professional contract with Leicester City in the late seventies, he effectively signed away his right to free expression.
Lineker has been very vocal about the prevailing attitudes towards Syrian refugees of late. His strong view is that the narrative has turned extremely dark and worryingly xenophobic in recent months.
I'll say what I want on my twitter feed, thanks. However old they are they're bloody human beings, like you….well sort of. https://t.co/j3bq24k7Ox
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 19, 2016
On Wednesday, a follower of EDL co-founder Tommy Robinson responded to one of Lineker’s tweets that urged for a modicum of compassion for refugees, with the following angry reply:
‘fucking we have to live amongst them not you Gary…have them down your turning and in your mansion’
Lineker was having none of the individual’s clear contempt for those fleeing war and tyranny in their own land, and responded with an emphatic tweet of his own:
”Them’? I’d sooner live amongst them than you.’
There was a virtual punch of the air for many who shared Lineker’s sentiments upon reading the retort, and he was praised for his determined and heartfelt stance on the subject.
It turns out that many do appreciate such a high-profile national figure sticking his head above the parapet and speaking out on something he believes in.
Bravo Gary!
— Amy Lawrence (@amylawrence71) October 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/omo154/status/788695500857933824
@strudders_cfc @TRobinsonNewEra on fire Gary 👍
— Tam Mchugh (@Tammchugh1) October 19, 2016
@strudders_cfc @TRobinsonNewEra Gary for PM!
— John McCarthy (@JohnDMC17) October 19, 2016
Mad love for @GaryLineker right now
— Mo Choudhury (@mochoudhury) October 19, 2016
@strudders_cfc @TRobinsonNewEra Gary, youre a star..
— Arthur deMontfort (@ArthurdeMontfo1) October 19, 2016
Well done you for using your voice for good. Keep up the good work. We have #MoreInCommon than that which divides us #JoCox
— Jacqui Wicks (@SuperWicksy) October 19, 2016
yes Gary! Keep fighting the good fight loud and clear! We must shine a torch on these backward attitudes
— On The Rug (@On_the_Rug) October 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/Irisheyes2111/status/788695126147235840
https://twitter.com/AlanLewis05/status/788696548842541056
On the latest episode of the GAA Hour, Wooly chats to new Meath boss Andy McEntee about the flawed Dublin Championship and catches up with new Clare joint manager Donal Moloney. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
