Match of the Day pundit Gary Lineker in Twitter spat with the Telegraph and Independent over swearing reports
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has found himself embroiled in a Twitter spat with the Telegraph after it reported that he would be rebuked by his bosses at the BBC over his use of foul language on Twitter.
The reports appeared following Leicester City – which Lineker supports – beating Manchester United 5-3, after coming back from two goals down. This led the former England striker to tweet: ‘Bloody hell’, ‘Fucking hell’ and ‘Shat on Man United’.
Bloody hell!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 21, 2014
Fucking hell! — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 21, 2014Shat on Man United!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 21, 2014
He then responded to reports claiming that he was to be rebuked by BBC bosses for his language in newspapers such as the Independent and the Telegraph.
Dear papers, if I can't swear when Leicester come from 2 goals down to beat Man Utd 5-3 then I never can. Thanks though for your concern. — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 22, 2014“@TeleFootball: .@GaryLineker warned by BBC after expletive reaction http://t.co/LMejDXMyXa pic.twitter.com/DvSTDCSq0C”
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 22, 2014
.@TeleFootball It possibly amuses you to make stuff up, but the BBC has never expressed concern to me about any of my tweets. — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 22, 2014The Telegraph’s sports news correspondent then apologised to Lineker for the story.
“@ben_rumsby: @GaryLineker Was told you had been / will be. Sorry...”
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 22, 2014
Where in the standard BBC quote @TeleFootball does it say I have or will be warned? Your journo has apologised. https://t.co/BpaDocXGUK — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 22, 2014At no time have the BBC warned me about any of my tweets. One of the joys of Twitter is correcting false stories. http://t.co/rHcgi46lpr
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 22, 2014
Anyway enough of that! I'm done swearing until Leicester beat Manchester...fucking...City. — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 22, 2014Despite seemingly drawing a line under the issue, Lineker then continued to tweet the Telegraph football account to highlight his displeasure with them over their coverage.
.@TeleFootball @TelegraphSport Poor day for you. If you need to hunt down something, try a sense of humour. Or indeed, the truth.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 23, 2014