GARY LINEKER put Micah Richards on the spot as he questioned a new feature on Sky Sports’ football coverage.
The England legend and former Manchester City star are now regular faces on our TV screens for BBC show Match of the Day.
Richards, who also works for Sky Sports, and the Premier League’s all-time top scorer Alan Shearer have also recently become part of the new hit podcast The Rest Is Football, which is hosted by MOTD pal Lineker.
The three former footy stars have provided plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, with Shearer even revealing how he once caught an unknown couple getting kinky on a piano in his hotel room.
However, during the latest episode discussing Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, Richards was awkwardly put on the spot after covering the game with Sky.
The broadcaster has introduced a new feature that includes a referee, in this case Mike Dean, joining the commentary to discuss decisions during the game.
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And while chatting about Ederson’s challenge on Darwin Nunez that led to Liverpool’s penalty, it triggered something in Lineker to go in two-footed.
He said: “What is it with Sky and this co-commentary with a referee thing? It’s kind of drifted in, I think BT did it a little bit…
“During the game, I don’t really understand it. It’s almost like saying that you pundits don’t understand the laws of the game.”
Richards replied: “Yeah but we don’t know all of the laws of the game do we Gaz?”
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“Speak for yourself, Micah,” responded Lineker as Richards continued: “Come on. Pundits don’t know the laws…”
Lineker hit back with: “Well they should do as it’s very much part of the job now.”
Richards said: “Yeah, but I mean… How many times have you heard pundits get it so wrong.
“They are just giving their opinion and not matter of fact.”
Lineker then put Richards on the spot and asked him to name names, which led to an awkward laughter from all three as SHearer attempted to break the ice with: “He’s gone all quiet!”
Lineker then continued his argument by stating: “You can see if it’s a foul or not. It’s blindingly obvious things – it’s just something with me…
“Obviously, broadcasters are looking to try and change things and do something a little bit different and all that, but I do find that one a tad odd.
“Have one if there’s something actually contentious at some point, maybe, but we know a foul, we know the laws of the game.”
“Do we though,” interrupted Richards before Lineker replied, perhaps tongue-in-cheek, with: “Yes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read all the laws of the game.”
Then it was Richards that refused to back down as he asked Lineker: “OK, how many times on Match of the Day have you had to read something new out when they’ve changed a law.”
But Lineker said: “I think that’s a thing where you tell the audience about a change, that you read out the law of the game for them.
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“I don’t think that we are reading out for ourselves. We shouldn’t be, I don’t think.”
Shearer then attempted to put an end to the debate by saying: “I know what you’re saying Micah but we should know them, shouldn’t we. Well, some of us do.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
