GARY LINEKER has agreed a deal with a new broadcaster after leaving the BBC.
The presenter stepped back from hosting Match of the Day after 26 years in the hotseat at the end of the Premier League season just over a week ago.
He has now agreed a deal with DAZN that will see his The Rest Is Football Podcast broadcast highlights of the Club World Cup.
The show, which features Alan Shearer and Micah Richards as co-hosts, will show the best bits from matches in the video version of the podcast.
DAZN chief Pete Oliver said: “The Rest Is Football is essential viewing and listening for fans who want insight, entertainment, and personality.
“This partnership is a brilliant way to bring the Fifa Club World Cup even closer to that audience.
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“It’s about connecting global football with the voices fans trust and love, and showing the tournament in a fresh, exciting, and authentically British way.”
The Club World Cup begins on June 15 and it is being held in the US.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has revamped the tournament to include 32 teams, with Chelsea and Manchester City flying the flag for England.
Streaming giants DAZN are the event’s global rights holder and will broadcast all 63 matches for free.
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Channel 5 will also show 23 live games after striking a sub-licencing agreement.
Lineker’s Rest Is Football Podcast was removed from the BBC’s streaming service last week following the former England striker’s departure from the company.
It comes amid a bitter end to his time at the Beeb as Match of the Day chiefs dealt him a final snub just hours before his farewell show.
The Sun exclusively revealed that they decided to axe his last interview with Liverpool star Mo Salah without warning due to fears he would say something controversial about Gaza.
Lineker issued an apology last month after sharing a pro-Gaza video that likened supporters of Israel to rats.
He has since been enjoying some time off in Ibiza, attending his son Harry’s wedding and appearing to put his feud with brother Wayne aside during celebrations.
It has always been Lineker’s plan to expand his podcast empire after his BBC departure, saying: “Professionally, I’ve got a big podcast company and I think it takes up quite a bit of my time and it will probably take up a bit more now.
“It’s really exciting and it’s a lot of fun. We’re doing really well. I don’t think I’ll do much television.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
