Gary Lineker in tears as he says ‘I can’t shut up’

BBC Match of the Day presenter and Leicester City legend Gary Lineker has sparked debate once again with his comments on the situation in Gaza, describing it as “the worst thing I’ve seen in my life” and insisting: “I can “Don’t shut up about what’s going on.”

Despite BBC stars being bound by media rules set by the broadcaster last year after Lineker made controversial comparisons between Britain’s asylum policy and 1930s Germany, the Match of the Day presenter did not hold back in his criticism of Israel’s military actions after the October 7 terror. attacks by Hamas, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,500 Israelis.

Since these attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s orders for bombings and ground operations in Gaza have resulted in more than 34,800 Palestinian casualties, mostly women and children, as reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health.

In a conversation with Zeteo, the media platform founded by Anglo-American journalist Mehdi Hasan, the former Tottenham Hotspur and England striker said: “It is the worst thing I have seen in my life.

READ MORE: Liverpool promise, five-star response to turmoil – the 10 games that won Leicester City the title

READ MORE: The Leicester City striker’s transfer decision could be the last domino to fall

“I have no skin in this game. I’m not Muslim, I’m not Jewish, I’m not Israeli, I’m not Palestinian.”

“So I see it, I guess, purely from the outside, like from a neutral perspective. And I can’t think of anything worse that I’ve seen in my lifetime, the constant images of children losing their lives every day. “

He went on to say, “Obviously, we all know that October 7th happened, but the moment you raise your voice against what they’re doing now, you’re accused of being a supporter of Hamas and that kind of thing.”

He went on to add: “There’s a lot of strong lobbying for people to be quiet so I can understand why most people are holding back, but I’m getting a little carried away now, I’m pretty safe and I can’t keep quiet about what’s going on . There.”

“I think it’s so awful and it already seems to be happening, going into Rafa, where they’ve sent everyone there.

“It is not anti-Semitic to say that what Israel is doing is wrong. I just don’t see how everybody doesn’t see that now, whatever the cause, whatever started it, we all know that the history of this area, of the world, goes way before October 7th.

“But it’s, it’s really awful, what’s happening and I cry regularly when I see certain images on social media.”

Lineker was suspended from Match of the Day on 10 March 2023 after criticizing what he described as “an immeasurably cruel policy aimed at the most vulnerable people in language not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.

Renowned pundits including Alan Shearer, Ian Wright and Jermaine Jenas pulled out of their planned appearances in a show of solidarity, leading to his swift reinstatement.

The BBC report released later in September referred to flagship programs such as Match of the Day, The Apprentice, Dragon’s Den and The One Show.

According to the document, while recognizing the importance of freedom of speech, presenters are prohibited from supporting or criticizing any political party during a broadcast program, this rule also applies for two weeks before and after the series.

Restrictions are placed on discussing the individual character of UK politicians, making statements on any controversial subject during an election period and taking an official role with a lobby group.

Meanwhile, Lineker has expressed his agreement with these restrictions, labeling them “eminently sensitive”.