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    ‘No offence lads’ – Gary Lineker gives no-nonsense Match of the Day verdict in savage goodnight message

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    GARY LINEKER issued a no-nonsense sign off on Match of the Day after a hapless round of Saturday Premier League fixtures.Southampton and Manchester City played out a drab goalless draw at St Mary’s, Everton won 3-1 at Fulham, Brighton prevailed 2-0 at Wolves, Brentford beat Ipswich 1-0 at Portman Road and 10-man Aston Villa picked up a 1-0 victory at Bournemouth.Gary Lineker issued a no-nonsense sign off on Match of the DayLineker blasted a hapless round of Saturday Premier League fixturesThe games left much to be desired and Lineker, 64, suggested the BBC found it hard to put together an exciting highlight reel.So much so that the famous presenter described Saturday’s action as “probably one of the worst”. Lineker issued the following savage verdict: “After 26 years of Saturday nights, I think that was probably one of the worst – no offence, lads.”Time to move on, I reckon. Goodbye!”Read More on FootballMatch of the Day shared a clip of that remark with the following caption: “No sugar-coating from @GaryLineker there.”Several football fans were left in stitches with that unique sign-off and took to social media.One fan tweeted: “The man Gary.”Another laughed: “Bahahahaha!”Most read in FootballA third commented: “Keepin’ it real, yess!”Wayne Rooney cracks up live on BBC Sport after Gary Lineker’s brutal Micah Richards gagAnd a further post read: “Straight shooter Gaz.”Lineker dropped that tongue-in-cheek statement in one of his last ever appearances on Match of the Day as he will step down as presenter in May after 26 years in the esteemed show.The former England international will also leave the BBC altogether in 2026 after next season’s FA Cup and World Cup.The Leicester legend will be replaced by a three-person presenting team consisting of Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan from next season.Lineker insists he will not be seen on any TV rival after leaving the Beeb and will instead be doing podcasts while also focusing on his personal life. More

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      ‘Not for £100million either’ – Gary Lineker reveals he turned down reality TV offer following Match of the Day exit

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      GARY LINEKER has revealed that he has turned down multiple reality TV shows since it was announced that he would be leaving the BBC. Lineker, 64, will step down from his post as host of Match of the Day at the end of the season. Lineker’s tenure as Match of the Day frontman is coming to an endCredit: BBCThe presenter has always made his political views public, sometimes to his detrimentHe will be replaced by the trio of Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan, and Mark Chapman. He will, however, be kept on to lead the Beeb’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup in the US and Mexico. He will also continue to front the broadcaster’s FA Cup offerings. In an interview with The Times, Lineker admitted that he had several offers from reality TV shows to appear. Read more in FootballAccording to Lineker, the producers of Big Brother tapped up his agent to enquire about the former England striker’s interest in appearing on the programme. They were met with a £100million price tag, although Lineker revealed that he “wouldn’t have done it for £100million either,” with the sum being “a little over their budget”. In the interview, Lineker, who earned 80 caps for his country, scoring 48 goals, said that he had become quite the chef in his spare time. That had also led to offers from culinary shows. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHe insisted: “I’ve actually been offered to do cookery programmes, but I don’t want to, because whilst I’m a very keen cook and I think I’m a good cook, I’m not Gordon f***ing Ramsay.”Lineker believes that he is a better presenter now than he ever has been, with his podcast “The Rest is Football” helping him behind the microphone and in front of the camera.Lineker has been the subject of bids from several showsCredit: AlamyHowever, that venture did not help sway the BBC’s decision to keep him on. He said: “I think I’m a better presenter now than I’ve ever been.“I know everything that can go wrong, and everything that can go right. Which is a good time to go.“There wasn’t a great desire to give me another three-year contract.”Lineker got the Match of the Day gig in 1999, replacing Des Lynam in the hotseat.He was also the Beeb’s lead presenter for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, and he was reported to be the corporation’s highest-paid presenter in July 2022. He was suspended from Match of the Day in 2023 for criticising the British government’s immigration policy on social media.  More

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      FA Cup final gets never-before-seen kick-off time after BBC and ITV clash over scheduling

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      THE FA CUP final has been given a brand new kick-off time just two weeks before the showpiece match at Wembley Stadium.Manchester City and Crystal Palace’s season-concluding clash will start at a later time of 4:30pm BST on Saturday May 17.The FA Cup kick-off time has finally been shared with fansCredit: ReutersThe new time was agreed following collaboration with the two clubs, broadcasters, local authorities, police and the Safety Advisory Group.The FA Cup final has traditionally kicked off at 3pm – a time preferred by police.FA insiders confirmed that discussions over the kick-off time were delayed, with broadcasters BBC and ITV at odds.The Beeb wanted the game to start in the traditional 3pm slot – ensuring that even if the match were to go to extra-time or penalties there would be no overlap issues with the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast due to start at 8pm.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSMore than 7.5million people in the UK watched Eurovision on the BBC last year, with the corporation desperate to not see the final clash with the competition.ITV were understood to be pushing for a 5.30pm kick-off to maximum viewer numbers and advertising demand.The 2022 final between Chelsea and Liverpool was forced to start at 4:45pm because of a scheduling clash with Eurovision that night too.In each of the Chelsea’s previous trips to Wembley in 2021 and 2020 for the FA Cup final kick-off has been at 5:15pm and 5:30pmMost read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCity booked their place in the final for the third straight year with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last Sunday,Goals from Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol gave Pep Guardiola the chance to end a disappointing season with another trophy.Diehard Crystal Palace fan with arm in sling goes viral after using his HEAD to clap FA Cup heroes at WembleyMeanwhile, Crystal Palace are chasing their first ever FA Cup gong after thrashing Aston Villa in the semi-final on Saturday.A wonder striker from Eberechi Eze and a double from Ismaila Sarr secured Palace’s third ever final in the competition.The 2024-25 FA Cup final will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer as well as ITV1 and ITVX.No Premier League matches have been scheduled for the final.There were rows and rows of empty seats for the FA Cup semi-finalsAnd City will be hoping that their fans actually turn up this time, after 5,000 fans snubbed the journey against Forest.Fans of both clubs are already raging over an increase in ticket prices – a first in six years – with fees ranging from £175 for a category 1 ticket to £50 for category 4.That’s a rise of £30 for category 1 tickets compared to the 2024 final.Read More on The SunA spokesperson said: “The FA Cup is our biggest revenue producer, and it allows us to invest more funding into every level of English football.“We will be freezing the prices of almost all tickets to the Emirates FA Cup Final for the next three years.” More

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      BBC at odds with ITV over FA Cup Final kick-off time with talks ongoing just TWO WEEKS before showpiece occasion

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      MANCHESTER CITY fans have slammed Wembley chiefs for keeping them in the FA Cup Final dark.With only 16 days before City run out against Crystal Palace for English football’s showpiece occasion, there has still been no confirmation of the kick-off time.Crystal Palace chief Oliver Glasner will lock horns with Man City counterpart Pep Guardiola in the FA Cup final on May 17Credit: AlamyThe two broadcasters have differing views on kick-off timeLast night the FA took all information about the game off its official website, with the page designation for Final details reading: “No Fixtures available, please check later.”FA insiders confirmed that discussions over the kick-off time were still ongoing, with broadcasters BBC and ITV at odds.The Beeb want the game to start in the traditional 3pm slot – ensuring that even if the match were to go to extra-time or penalties there will be no overlap issues with the Eurovision Song Contest broadcast due to start at 8pm.ITV are understood to be pushing for a 5.30pm kick-off to maximum viewer numbers and advertising demand.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMeanwhile, the FA has to square all decisions off with Police, local council safety chiefs and the transport authorities.Even so, there is a recognition that the lack of certainty is not the best look.And the lack of confirmation brought an angry response from City supporters, already fuming at ticket prices of up to £285.City sold 5,000 short of their allocation for the semi-final win over Nottingham Forest.Most read in FA CupBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBoss Pep Guardiola noted the amount his side’s supporters have had to fork out for Wembley trips over recent season.City YouTube channel presenter Steven McInerney, pointing to all Final category tickets having gone up by between £5 and £35, said on X: “The prices compared to last year are taking the p***.“It’s in two weeks, people have to organise travel and the kick off time hasn’t even been announced yet.“Shambles of an institution. Fans slapped in the face constantly.” More

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      Fan favourite Ian Wright becomes highest paid football pundit after bumper year of earnings amid Eni Aluko row

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      ITV sports presenter Ian Wright is now the highest earning pundit on telly – making an estimated profit of almost £2.2m last year.His earnings now dwarf those of his longtime friend and former England skipper Gary Lineker who was paid £1.35m by the BBC as host of Match of the Day. Ian Wright was recently slammed by fellow pundit Eni AlukoCredit: RexRecent accounts for former Arsenal star Ian, 61, showed that his company, Elanar Ltd, had its best period yet in the year ending July 2024.A TV insider said: “These figures show just how popular a figure Wrighty remains – both the viewing public and with TV execs and advertisers who clearly think he’s worth every penny they pay him.”His firm’s financial reports show he has over £1m in the bank and in the last financial year paid a staggering £549,000 in corporation tax, which suggests he made a profit of £2.19m during that period.As well as his football punditry Ian also has other deals that have boosted his coffers, including ad campaigns for retail giants ranging from Marks & Spencer to adidas.read more on ian wrightITV recently backed him following a row with his fellow presenter Eni Aluko, who accused him of ‘blocking’ opportunities for women in football. She later apologised, but he refused to accept the apology.A spokesperson for the channel later said he was: “an incredible advocate, ally and brilliant broadcaster of women’s football.”Eni Aluko’s former England team-mate Steph Houghton publicly backs Ian Wright in TV pundits’ rowArsenal legend Ian has refused to accept Eni’s apologyCredit: PAUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

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      ‘You’ll have experienced this’ – Wayne Rooney cracks up live on BBC Sport after Gary Lineker’s brutal Micah Richards gag

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      GARY LINEKER left Wayne Rooney in hysterics with a joke at Micah Richards’ expense.The trio of ex-England stars and Glenn Murray were covering the first FA Cup semi-final between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace live on the BBC.Gary Lineker’s shared a brutal gag about Micah RichardsCredit: X / BBCMOTDThe comment left Wayne Rooney and Glenn Murray in stitchesCredit: X / BBCMOTDLineker quipped that Richards was likely often left out of important cup gamesCredit: X / BBCMOTDDuring a segment, they began talking about players being left out of important cup games at Wembley.Naturally, Lineker assumed that Rooney had never been left out of any Wembley days during his illustrious career at Manchester United.Rooney said: “Yeah, I was left out of the starting line up here in the league cup final against Aston Villa in 2010.”Well I was rested for a Champions League game. But I was fuming because it was a final and I wanted to play.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSRichards hilariously jumped in to add that being left out and being rested are not the same thing.Before Rooney, 39, added that he was also rested in Man Utd’s FA Cup semi-final against Everton, which United lost on penalties after a goalless draw in 2009.Wazza – who just one FA Cup in 2016 – quickly told Richards: “But I came on against Villa and scored the winner, so it was OK in the end.”But witty Lineker then jumped in and said: “Micah, you would have experienced this quite a bit. Did you ever knock on the manager’s door?”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe comment had Richards, Rooney and Murray in stitches.And former Palace striker Murray added: “I was always knocking on the door, Gary”. ‘Better than what we currently have’ – Man Utd fans drooling over Wayne Rooney’s son Kai’s goal for academy teamLike Rooney, Richards and Lineker both won the FA Cup once with Manchester City in 2011 and 1991 respectively.The discussion came after two-time FA Cup winner Marcus Rashford was ruled out through injury against Palace.The forward was not named in Unai Emery’s starting XI, with Villa saying he had picked up “a knock”.Rashford sustained a minor muscle injury during the first half of the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday.The 27-year-old, who scored a first-half penalty at the Etihad, was able to continue after the break before being replaced by Ollie Watkins after 76 minutes. More

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      ‘My heart sank’ – BBC legend reveals she ‘had to drink a lot of vodka’ to deal with nerves of making MOTD history

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      FOOTIE commentator Jacqui Oatley has opened up about overcoming the backlash she faced when she made telly history.It’s been EIGHTEEN years since Oatley became the first woman to commentate on Match of the Day.Jacqui Oatley became the first woman to commentate on Match of the Day in 2007Credit: Getty Images – GettyThe announcement that Oatley would cover Fulham’s 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League on April 21, 2007 made headline news.In an interview with The Athletic, Oatley explained how she had honed her craft while offering live commentary and reports on radio for several years before that.And the Match of the Day gig would involve an editor clipping Oatley’s 90-minute commentary, recorded ‘as live’ at Craven Cottage.It would be cut into an eight-and-a-half-minute audio package to air over the match footage for the BBC highlights show.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Oatley recalled the “stomach-drop moment” when she realised that her history-making commentary job had received a lot of negative coverage and fan fury.The Wolves fan told The Athletic: “My heart sank. That’s when it really grew legs with the sexism element.”Three days before her big job, Oatley’s radio alarm woke her up at 7am with the sound of Radio 5 Live talking about it.Presenter Rachel Burden, who Oatley “loves to bits”, was introducing vox pops from members of the public who had been asked whether Oatley should be allowed to do it.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBy the Friday, the day before the match, Oatley admitted to hardly having slept or eaten. The 50-year-old added: “My only regret was that I couldn’t be at my best for the most-watched game of my life. Unseen Match of the Day footage shows how pundit analysis really works as BBC boss looks to cut highlightsOatley’s career went from strength-to-strength as she became a leading figure in the world of sport journalismCredit: Getty“I’d love for it all to have stopped and just gone away. But that was never an option.“I was really conscious that if I’d commentated and people hated the sound of my voice, or they just didn’t trust me to convey what was going on.“It was purely the judging of my gender. I wanted to do a good job, but also hang around and stay around, not just do it on that day. “Because people do make assessments of an entire gender based on that kind of thing, which is hilarious and ridiculous at the same time.”And during the commentary itself, Oatley admitted to feeling like a bag of nerves and that she needed a strong drink afterwards.It was purely the judging of my gender.Jacqui OatleyIn his post-match interview, the then-Blackburn manager, Mark Hughes, asked her how it went.She then walked to her car in a daze, drove home and called Alison Mitchell, the cricket commentator, and 5 Live presenter Phil Williams to arrange a night out.Oatley said: “I wanted to drink a lot of vodka to make it possible to deal with the final thing.”She paced the hallway of Mitchell’s flat decided her efforts “didn’t sound too horrendous. I just needed to get through it”.Jacqui Oatley and Stuart Pearce presenting the FA Cup Youth Cup in 2017Credit: GettyMOTD presenter Gary Lineker – who is leaving the flagship show after 25 years at the end of this season – introduced Oatley’s segment.Lineker said: “After all the publicity this week, the moment has finally come for a little piece of history on Match of the Day. “For the first time ever, Lawrie Sanchez took charge of his Fulham side at Craven Cottage. Also making her debut, commentator Jacqui Oatley.”And now Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan will join Mark Chapman as part of a trio of presenters to front MOTD from next season.Oatley’s career went from strength-to-strength as she became a leading figure in the world of sport journalism. She was also the UK’s first female darts presenter, covering major tournaments for ITV.Read More on The SunThe BBC legend is an Ambassador for Women in Football and was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours in 2016 for services to broadcasting and diversity in sport.At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Oatley became the first female to offer play-by-play commentary of a World Cup match in the United States. More

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      Thomas Tuchel made England stars play Traitors game in first camp prompting love cheat Kyle Walker into shock admission

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      ENGLAND boss Thomas Tuchel got his Three Lions stars to play a version of BBC TV hit The Traitors at their first training camp.And this time love-rat defender Kyle Walker was telling the truth when he said he was a Faithful.Thomas Tuchel got his Three Lions stars to play a version of BBC TV hit The Traitors at their first training campLove-rat defender Kyle Walker was telling the truth when he said he was a FaithfulThe AC Milan star has two children by his former mistress — and was forced to admit that finding wrong ’uns is harder than he imagined.Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham was quickly outed as a Traitor, soon followed by skipper Harry Kane.But goalie Jordan Pickford, midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White and striker Dominic Solanke all went under the radar.Kyle said: “You get to see a few of the characters.Read more on Thomas Tuchel“And I think, for Tuchel as well, it was more of a squad-building exercise. He could see who was vocal and stuff like that.“It’s a good bit of fun, trying to convince people if you are a Faithful or a Traitor. It brought the squad together.”He revealed the inside story of German Tuchel’s first England camp in the second episode of The Kyle Walker Podcast on the BBC.The footie star, below, who has won 95 England caps, explained: “I sat next to Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford — next to two Traitors.Most read in Football“And I’m talking to them, saying, ‘You’re not a Traitor, are you?’ Harry Kane’s like, ‘No, I’m not a Traitor’. I believed him.“Pickers, normally when he’s the Traitor he goes bright red. When I asked him, he was bang still. He’s lost his redness, so he’s become better at lying.”’That was missing’ – Brutally blunt Thomas Tuchel reveals disappointment in Rashford and Foden’s England performancesKyle, who has an elbow injury and could be out for the rest of the season, also told of his desperation to reach 100 England caps.He said: “The hundred is getting closer, which is a massive objective.“I look back to when I first started with Fabio Capello and to think all those years ago, I probably said I wanted to get to 25 caps.“Then you surpass 25 caps, you’re looking for the 50. And I was on 49 and got sent off. And then you’re thinking it’s all over.“So to get these caps in the last two games, it was great.”He praised former England boss Sir Gareth Southgate, but said with Tuchel, it was “a new way”.And he warned: “Like they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day. So it’s going to take a little bit of time.” More

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      Arsenal wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri set for mammoth pay rise as Gunners open talks over new contract

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      ETHAN NWANERI has been lined up for a huge pay rise after Arsenal opened talks over a new contract for the teen sensation.Nwaneri is enjoying an explosive breakthrough season after stepping in following injuries to the Gunners’ main attackers.Ethan Nwaneri is set to be rewarded for becoming a virtual regularCredit: GettyArsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s faith in Nwaneri has reaped big dividendsCredit: GettyThe England Under-21 star’s current deal runs until the end of next season.But the BBC say Arsenal have “initiated contact” with the 18-year-old’s representatives on extending his stay.New sporting director Andrea Berta, as well as manager Mikel Arteta, is keen to tie down the Gunners’ hottest prospects.And with the possible exception of left-back Myles Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri is surely at the top of that list.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt’s understood no official contract offer has yet been made to Nwaneri.But there are unlikely to be any obstacles to the academy product agreeing a long-term deal and landing a huge wage increase.Formal negotiations with the Londoners’ representatives are expected to start in the next few weeks.Nwaneri signed his first professional deal – until 2026 – when he was still a Gunners’ youth player.Most read in FootballThat means his next contract is certain to be far bigger.Nwaneri has amassed 31 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions this term.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta heaps praise on ‘calm and composed’ youngster Ethan Nwaneri for Champions League victory And during his 21 Premier League games in 2024-25, he’s notched three goals and two assists.However, he remained on the bench in Tuesday night’s sizzling 3-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid.Instead, the same-aged Lewis-Skelly was a stand-out performer, although Declan Rice was Arsenal’s clear star man, scoring twice with stunning free-kicks.Nonetheless, Nwaneri has played more often this campaign than possibly even he would have hoped.Admittedly he’s profited from Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus getting crocked, plus the injuries of wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who are both now fit again.Saka is tipped for talks on extending his contract beyond 2027.The Gunners also want first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes to agree new deals More