Latest news with #ex-England
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gary Lineker's bitter feud with BBC worsens as final interview with Mo Salah BLOCKED amid fear pair ‘would discuss Gaza'
A source said the plug was pulled by director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski BLOCKED BY BEEB Gary Lineker's bitter feud with BBC worsens as final interview with Mo Salah BLOCKED amid fear pair 'would discuss Gaza' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BBC chiefs delivered a final snub to Gary Lineker when they axed his last interview without warning — just before his final Match of the Day. He was due to talk to Liverpool goal hero Mo Salah, but there were fears Lineker — involved in an online row over an antisemitic post — would say something controversial about Gaza. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Gary Lineker had an interview with Mo Salah axed without warning — just before his final Match of the Day Credit: AFP 3 There's 'no love lost' between Lineker and the BBC's director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski Credit: BBC A source said the plug was pulled by director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who got the job last summer. The Sun has revealed there was 'no love lost' between Lineker and Kay-Jelski — with the ex-England hero allegedly giving him the cold shoulder at the FA Cup final. An insider said: 'The plan was for the interview to be shown across the BBC the weekend of Gary's final Match Of The Day. 'That would include on Football Focus the day before as well as online and on social media. 'Out of nowhere, it got cancelled. "Some people think they didn't want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza. 'Salah has spoken out in his support for Palestinians living in Gaza and Gary has made his feelings clear too. "It felt like it may have come up naturally in conversation. 'It seems they axed it rather than risk possible editorial issues. "They'd only just overcome one storm so to face another would have been a nightmare.' Eagle-eyed fans spot awkward Match of the Day gaffe on Gary Lineker's farewell show The Sun revealed Gary, 64, was leaving the BBC after 26 years following his sharing of an Instagram post which criticised Zionism. It included an illustration of a rat — historically used as an antisemitic slur. With the BBC coming under increasingly intense pressure, Lineker issued two apologies, then agreed to step down from his £1.3million-a-year job The ex-Spurs star is understood to be focusing on his Goalhanger Podcasts business, as well as considering rival broadcasters' offers. He had been suspended from Match Of The Day in March 2023 after a post about the small boats controversy, but was reinstated after a boycott by his co-stars. The BBC said: 'The interview was cancelled because it was planned to air after Gary's last Match of the Day. 'It would be wrong to suggest anything else.' However a source insisted: 'A cross-platform interview with the Champions' star player could have aired anytime. "Salah wanted to speak to Gary so to axe it entirely seems short-sighted.' 3 Gary and Mo have both spoken out in support for Palestinians living in Gaza Credit: Alamy Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Rio Ferdinand TNT Sports farewell in full as Laura Woods bids emotional goodbye
Rio Ferdinand is turning his attention away from punditry to focus on his production company and his family as the Champions League final marked his final showing for TNT Rio Ferdinand expressed his gratitude to the TNT Sports team as he brought the curtain down on his time with the channel following the Champions League final. The former Manchester United defender watched on as a pundit for the broadcaster for the final time as Paris Saint-Germain decimated Inter Milan 5-0. Ferdinand announced in the build up to Europe's highest-profile match that his trip to the Allianz Arena in Munich would see him step away from a hectic schedule. The ex-England international spent a decade travelling as part of the BT Sport and then TNT team covering Premier League and European action, and plans to spend more time with his family. Ferdinand will also work with his management firm New Era and focus more of time on his production company, on which he produces podcasts and conducts interviews. ' Rio Ferdinand Presents' has more than 1.3 million subscribers on YouTube In the build up to PSG's victory, presenter Laura Woods offered a nod to it being a poignant night for her colleague. The TNT star offered a moment for Ferdinand to reflect. She asked him on air: "Rio, you've just been taking it all in, haven't you?' "Yeah, I have," he replied. "I've been in the city for three days now. It's been a bit of a lads' tour. We've been loving it." And Ferdinand went on to deliver a gracious speech, paying tribute to those he'd worked with on and off he camera. "I just want to say thank you to everybody that I've worked with," he said. "My job was made a lot easier by the great people and friends that I have worked with and will remain friends for many years. "As important as the people you see on the screen are the people behind the screen that do all the jobs to get us here and enable us to put our best foot forward are all appreciated. Again, thank you to everybody who has been a part of it." Fellow TNT pundit Steven Gerrard asked if his former team-mate was now going to have a cold beer, Ferdinand replied: "All the beers are on me!" Ferdinand and TNT Sports remain on good terms and it may not be the last time he appears for the broadcaster. The channel will take over FA Cup rights next season, and there may still be opportunities for him to appear as a special guest. Woods paid a final tribute to Ferdinand before signing off. "From us here at TNT Sport, to you. That is it for your career here, for now," she said. "Can I just say on behalf of all of us - including everyone behind the camera - you've been an absolute pleasure. And personally since I joined, you've been so incredibly welcoming. You'll be sorely, sorely missed."
Metro
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
David Beckham accuses two Man Utd players of 'disrespecting' the club
David Beckham says certain things happening at Manchester United are 'not okay in my eyes'. Beckham's former club endured a miserable 2024-25 campaign, finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing to Tottenham in a low-quality Europa League final. United's performances on the pitch have disappointed Beckham but the Old Trafford legend has also been surprised by events off it. Beckham says some players are 'not acting in the right manner' or 'representing the badge in the right way'. The ex-England midfielder also bemoaned the lack of respect shown to the club's fans, which appears to be a dig at Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo's conduct during United's post-season tour. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Amad was filmed sticking a middle finger up to supporters last week, while Garnacho performed a similar gesture at a signing event for fans in Kuala Lumpur. In a separate incident Garnacho – who has been told he can leave Manchester United this summer – was filmed in an altercation with another fan. 'It's tough times but I don't like seeing some of the things that are going on at the club,' Beckham told CBS Sports. 'On the pitch is what counts but in all honesty, I'm seeing a lot of things that are not on the pitch that are not okay in my eyes, as a fan and as a lover of Manchester United. 'I'm talking about sometimes the way players are acting. You have to represent the badge and that's what it's about and I've seen a lot of things where players are not acting in the right manner. 'We were a part of a team that was so well-mannered. We understood what it meant to play for Manchester United. We understood what the badge meant. 'Wherever we travelled, whether it was in Europe, whether it was in Asia, you respected the fans. 'You respect the fans. You respect the fans, you respect the fact that they're turning up, paying money and wanting you to sign and take pictures. More Trending 'You respect that. I don't see that. I'm not saying it's all of the players. I'm saying it's one or two that are disrespecting that and I don't like that.' Manchester United suffered a shock defeat to a charity team in their first outing in Asia before beating Hong Kong 3-1 in a friendly on Friday. The Old Trafford squad are now finally off on their summer breaks before pre-season training begins in July. Manchester United have one game in Sweden before a three-game tour of the USA. The 2025-26 Premier League season starts on August 16. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Mikel Arteta told Arsenal have already made huge transfer mistake MORE: Antonio Conte tells Napoli to sign £58m Man Utd and Arsenal transfer target MORE: Manchester United respond to Barcelona transfer plan for Marcus Rashford
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘So incredibly welcoming' – Laura Woods pays personal tribute to Rio Ferdinand as Man Utd legend, 46, leaves TNT Sports
The ex-England star has not ruled out moving to a rival Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LAURA WOODS has issued a heartfelt farewell to Rio Ferdinand on his final TNT Sports appearance. The Manchester United legend is stepping away from the broadcaster after 10 years as a pundit. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Laura Woods (left) has paid tribute to Rio Ferdinand (centre) on his final TNT broadcast Credit: PA 2 The former Man Utd star has spent a decade as a pundit for the network Credit: PA Ferdinand was on the TNT panel for Saturday's Champions League final in Munich. He was joined by host Woods, Steven Gerrard and Owen Hargreaves for his last broadcast. Following PSG's emphatic 5-0 win, Rio said: "I just want to say thank you to everybody that I've worked with. "My job was made a lot easier by the great people and friends that I have worked with and will remain friends for many years." READ MORE ON FOOTBALL RIO EXIT Rio Ferdinand quitting TNT Sports after 10 years as Man Utd icon issues statement The ex-England centre-back joined TNT back in 2015 as a pundit. He was drafted onto co-commentary duty shortly after and claimed his decision to leave was "difficult". Woods had one "final goodbye" for Ferdinand as Saturday's broadcast from Munich wound down. The presenter said: "Rio, before we leave, just one final goodbye. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "From us here at TNT Sport, to you. That is it for your career here, for now. "Can I just say on behalf of all of us - including everyone behind the camera - you've been an absolute pleasure. PSG crowned Champions League winners after smashing Inter Milan 5-0 "And personally since I joined, you've been so incredibly welcoming. "You'll be sorely, sorely missed." Despite being incredibly busy with TNT for the last decade, Ferdinand has managed to launch a hugely successful podcast. His 'Rio Ferdinand Presents' pod, which was previously called 'Vibe with Five', has over 1.3 MILLION subscribers on YouTube. He has also been linked with a potential move to the BBC in the wake of Gary Lineker's departure on Match of the Day. Ferdinand's final game as a pundit proved to be a cracker, with PSG stunning Inter Milan 5-0 in Munich. Champions League final REACTION - PSG 5-0 Inter Follow all the fallout and reaction from the Champions League final with SunSport's blog Luis Enrique's side ended the Parisian's Champions League drought in style, overpowering the Italians thanks to standout performance from Desire Doue. An emotional Enrique said: "Since day one, I said I wanted to win important trophies, and Paris had never won the Champions League. "We did it for the first time. It's a great feeling to make many people happy."
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Wrexham line up stunning Premier League triple transfer with £12.5m ex-World Cup goalkeeper and West Ham legend wanted
More big names linked to the Red Dragons after three promotions NEW WREX MEN Wrexham line up stunning Premier League triple transfer with £12.5m ex-World Cup goalkeeper and West Ham legend wanted Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WREXHAM want to offer Wales keeper Danny Ward the chance to join their first season back in the Championship. Ward, 31, has been freed by Leicester after a difficult spell and could leap at the chance to join Phil Parkinson's ambitious Red Dragons. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Danny Ward is just one of the top stars on Wrexham's radar Credit: Getty 4 The Red Dragons have gone from the fifth to the second tier in three years Credit: Getty The 44-cap star was a schoolkid at Wrexham until joining Liverpool in 2012. But in six years at Anfield he never came close to tying down a first-team spot. Instead he was loaned out to Morecambe, Aberdeen and Huddersfield before a £12.5million switch to the King Power Stadium. Ward, who played at the 2022 World Cup, is just the latest player with a Premier League pedigree being linked to Wrexham this summer. READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS WREX FACTOR Wrexham's millionaire Hollywood owners set to be hit hard in the pocket The Red Dragons and Derby have put former Wolves centre-back Craig Dawson on their shortlist of targets. Dawson, 35, wants to play on and Rams boss John Eustace likes his experience. But Eustace is also eyeing Blackburn defender Danny Batth - which might allow Wrexham to do a deal for Dawson on top wages. The Red Dragons have also shown reported interest in two ex-England stars who are leaving West Ham on a free transfer. 4 Wolves veteran Craig Dawson is being targeted as he wants to play on Credit: Getty BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Parkinson is keen on left-back Aaron Cresswell, 35, and 33-year-old striker Danny Ings. Former Liverpool man Ings joined West Ham from Aston Villa for £12million in January 2023. Fulham skipper Tom Cairney is another experienced name said to be on Wrexham's radar. The Nottingham-born Scotland midfielder, 34, is becoming a free agent. However, Cottagers manager Marco Silva has suggested he wants to keep the ex-Blackburn ace. The Red Dragons are returning to the second tier for the first time since 1981/82 after making history under the ownership of Hollywood A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Wrexham have become the first team to reach this level via three promotions in a row.
