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      Gary Lineker’s tree surgeon nephew, 18, ‘crushed to death by falling trunk’ as Match of the Day star’s sons pay tribute

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      GARY Lineker’s tree surgeon nephew died after he was crushed by a falling trunk, an inquest heard. Jonty Parkinson, 18, was described as “one of the nicest boys you’ll meet” by his cousin George Lineker, 31, in a touching tribute on social media.Jonty Parkinson, cousin of Gary Lineker’s kids, died while at workJonty worked as a tree surgeonGary Lineker with his first wife and the auntie of Jonty, Michelle, in 2000Credit: PA:Press AssociationOpening the inquest last week, senior coroner Darren Salter revealed the tree surgeon died following a crush injury to his abdomen whilst working on September 6.Oxford Coroner’s Court heard Jonty, of Coln St. Aldwyns, Gloucs., was killed by a falling tree in Eaton Hastings, Oxon.A GoFundMe page set up in memory of the teenager has raised over £32,000 to go towards a “beautiful memorial or event” for the family.A post under the appeal called Jonty a “very special, beautiful young man”.read more on footballIt added: “I realise money can’t fill the great chasm of loss they are feeling, but I hope it can be used to ease the burden of funeral expenses or go towards a fitting memorial for Jonty.”Gary Lineker’s son George, 31, last month described his tragic cousin as “one of the nicest boys you’ll meet”.An Instagram story showed him with Jonty as a youngster, with George writing: “Taken far too soon. Fly high cousin, you’ll be missed by all.”Tobias Lineker, 28, George’s brother, also wrote a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram alongside an old photo of a smiling Jonty.Most read in FootballHe said: “Taken from us far too soon, rest in peace little cousin.”Jonty was the nephew of Gary, 63, from his marriage to his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, with whom he shares four children – George, Harry, Tobias and Angus.Jonty’s mum, Ali Cockayne, is the sister of Michelle and was previously married to Former England rugby captain Will Carling.A date for the full inquest has not yet been confirmed.Gary Lineker with sons Harry, Angus, George and TobiasCredit: RexFormer England rugby captain Will Carling with Jonty’s mum Ali and their son Henry in 1998Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      Gary Lineker makes bold prediction on Match of the Day that his ‘good idea’ to fix VAR will eventually come in

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      GARY LINEKER boldly predicted that his radical plan to fix VAR will eventually be adopted by PGMOL.Lineker was discussing a controversial penalty call from Chelsea’s 3-0 win at West Ham with Danny Murphy and Ashley Williams on Match of the Day.Gary Lineker made a bold prediction as he doubled down on his VAR solutionWest Ham felt that they were denied a clear penalty when Wesley Fofana grabbed hold of Crysencio Summerville’s armBoss Julen Lopetegui was fuming with the decisionThe Hammers felt cheated when referee Samuel Barrott failed to award the home side a penalty in the 28th minute.Wesley Fofana grabbed hold of Crysencio Summerville’s arm inside the 18-yard box just before the half-hour mark when the score 2-0.Following a short review, the VAR advised Barrott to stick with his original decision as Fofana’s hold had only been ‘fleeting’. But Lineker, 63, believes he has the solution to fix the video assistant referee system.read more football newsEarlier this year, the former England striker said that an appeal system would help “add to the drama” in football.And he double downed on his claim this weekend on MOTD.He believes that there should be a limited amount of times where VAR can intervene, like the restricted number of challenges in tennis.He said on MOTD on Saturday night: “Until there is an appeal system with VAR it will always be a problem.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThis prompted Murphy to jokingly reply: “That is one of your only good ideas.”Lineker then jested: “I know. And it will come. It will come.”Chelsea Player Ratings vs West HamBoth ex-Liverpool star Murphy and former Everton defender Williams believed West Ham were denied a blatant penalty after Nicolas Jackson’s brace.Fofana was later booked for another challenge on Summerville before he was replaced by Axel Disasi in the 57th minute.Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast in May, Lineker explained: “The only way out of this mess, and I think they should keep offside and goal-line technology.”But I think you either scrap the rest of it or, more realistically, you take it to an appeal system.”You limit the amount of times that VAR can interfere. It can not intervene unless someone appeals.”It has to be the captain and they have got to tell you what they are appealing for.”It does not mean there is a goal and you have got to find some kind of foul somewhere.”They have to stipulate what the foul is, the captain does it, and if it is a foul then it is a foul, there is no bar.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It is the decision that the VAR and the referee come to.”Maybe one appeal a half, but it stops VAR coming into every possible corner that comes in.”VAR: Imagine the future…Martin Lipton’s pro VAR viewFAST forward 12 months to May 18, 2025.After 89 minutes at Molineux, Wolves, needing to win their last game of the season to stay up, are beating Manchester United, who require a point for Champions League football.A ball over the top sends Rasmus Hojlund racing away. The flag stays down. Hojlund scores. Wolves are relegated.And on the way home, the dejected Wolves fans see the still image on their phones.Hojlund was 2ft offside. No question. A shocker.It means at least a year in the Championship, £100million income drop, a firesale of the squad. While United bank an extra £50m.But it’s OK. Every  one of those fans, plus smiling boss Gary O’Neil and the  Wolves board, will line up to say: “No worries. It’s what we voted for. Rough with the smooth.”Yes. And I’ve got a bridge to Ireland to sell you. More

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      Gary Lineker in talks with BBC over multi-year deal for Match of the Day after volunteering to take pay cut

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      GARY Lineker is in talks with the BBC over a multi-year deal for Match of the Day — after volunteering to take a pay cut.The veteran presenter, 63, could agree to stay on for £1million a year — £350,000 less than his current salary.Gary Lineker is preparing to sign a new six-figure deal with the BBC after volunteering for a pay cutCredit: BBCGary Lineker during his first MOTD appearance in 1999Credit: Pixel8000Lineker, who has hosted the BBC footie highlights show since 1999, is to meet executives next month over a potential deal lasting at least two or three years.Talks are understood to have been briefly delayed following the recent Jermaine Jenas scandal.The shamed former Spurs star, 41, who was reportedly in the running to replace Lineker, was sacked for inappropriately texting two women on The One Show.A source said: “Gary is hugely popular with both fans and players alike. The sense is that, with so much uncertainty and scandal at the BBC, right now viewers are crying out for a safe pair of hands.READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER“Gary adores the BBC, and loves his job, and recognises what an honour it is to host television’s flagship football show, as well as international games.“Gary has long maintained that the BBC provides excellent value for money – and has quite literally put his money where his mouth is, and offered to take a substantial pay cut.”MotD2 host Mark Chapman, 50, has also been tipped to take over when Lineker’s contract expires at the end of the season.Last year the former England striker was reprimanded by the BBC after a critical social media post about the Government’s asylum policy. Most read in FootballHe was forced to miss a show but colleagues loyally refused to fill in for him, so only match highlights were shown instead.The upcoming pay negotiations come as the BBC is under enormous pressure to reduce its wage bill.BBC presenter stunned after going behind the scenes at Match of the Day studio with Gary Lineker Since 2021, it has laid off 1,800 employees and cut budgets across programmes.BBC chiefs are also still trying to claw back £200,000 paid to disgraced newsreader Huw Edwards since his arrest last November over child sex abuse images.BBC director-general Tim Davie said the crimes were “appalling”, adding: “We want the money back and we’ve asked for it back, and we’re waiting to hear back.”A spokesman for Lineker declined to comment, as did the BBC.Lineker is to meet executives next month over a potential deal lasting at least two or three yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Gary Lineker responds to bias accusations after Match of the Day decision hated by fans of Premier League club

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      GARY LINEKER has rubbished suggestions that Match of the Day is biased.The England legend and his colleagues received criticism from Nottingham Forest supporters on Saturday after the club’s 1-0 win over Liverpool was bumped down to second in the running order.Gary Lineker has denied suggestions Match of the Day is biasedCredit: AlamyNottingham Forest fans thought the club’s 1-0 win over Liverpool should have been first in the running orderCredit: GettyAston Villa’s dramatic 3-2 comeback against Everton topped the bill instead, with Lineker claiming it was simply due to the nature of the match and Jhon Duran’s incredible winning goal.The broadcaster hit back at complaints on Monday during an episode of The Rest is Football podcast and revealed he was “almost certain” Forest would lead the show before Villa’s win.He said: “It’s interesting with Forest, a lot of their fans think that us on Match of the Day, we really don’t like them and we don’t give them their flowers or their petals.”So they complained a lot and they were on again ‘they’re gonna have to say something nice about us, they’ll hate that’ which is quite fun because one of our producers as you know, Finchy, is a big Forest fan and our floor manager Marco is another Forest fan.Read More in Football”I always find it quite amusing that fans think that we could probably be against their particular side and be biased against them.”He continued: “Rich [Richard Hughes, the editor] and myself talk through it but I think it generally picks itself, it looked almost certain that Forest would lead the show yesterday and then obviously another incredible comeback by Villa against Everton with that incredible goal from Duran.”If you’re picking the game of the day, that probably just edged Forest which we thought would definitely lead but that went second.”Nottingham Forest are among five clubs that have not lost a Premier League match this season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThey currently sit seventh in the table with eight points from four games.Manchester City are top, with Arsenal just behind in second.BBC presenter stunned after going behind the scenes at Match of the Day studio with Gary Lineker More

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      New favourite lined up to replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host after Jermaine Jenas sacked by BBC

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      THE BBC have lined up a new replacement for Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, it’s been claimed.The former Everton and England hitman, who succeeded Des Lynham, has been at the helm of the MOTD ship for a whopping 25 years.Gary Lineker’s days as Match of the Day presenter are coming to an endCredit: BBCJermaine Jenas was the front-runner to replace Lineker before the Beeb axed him for his sexting scandalCredit: BBCMark Chapman is reportedly now the favourite to succeed LinekerCredit: GETTYBut his long-term future with the Beeb remains in doubt following the public backlash to his likening of the former Conservative Government migrant policy to “Germany in the ’30s”.Jermaine Jenas was long seen as the successor to the MOTD hot seat but is out of the running after being AXED by the Beeb for his sexting scandal, which SunSport exclusively revealed.And the Britsh broadcasting powerhouse has reportedly pivoted to a presenter already in their ranks to replace Lineker.That’s according to The Times, who claim Mark Chapman is the new frontrunner to succeed Lineker.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSChapman, of course, is already well known to footie fans as he presents Match of the Day 2 on Sundays, a role he’s had since 2013.The 50-year-old is also a presenter on Radio 5 Live and recently became the face of the BBC’s new Champions League highlights show.Chapman’s new gig is set to get underway next week when Europe’s elite club competition kicks off.And The Times claims Chapman’s latest appointment is the reason why he’s the favourite to replace Lineker.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMark Chapman has presented Match of the Day 2 for the last 11 yearsCredit: BBCThe potential appointment of Chapman as Lineker’s eventual replacement doesn’t come as a surprise.Lineker, however, viewed the disgraced Jenas – whose marriage is on the rocks after his inappropriate work-related behaviour – as his eventual successor.Gary Lineker reveals how his views on Match of the Day can sometimes get him into trouble The 63-year-old said last year: “Jermaine Jenas – who is probably drifting more towards my role.”I think Jermaine is doing it really well as well, doing The One Show.”When asked Micah Richards if he was nervous about Jenas replacing him, he replied: “Nervous? ‘”I’m ancient. My time is nearly up.” More

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      Former England and Arsenal star says ‘I will be a different kind of sports pundit’ ahead of Match of the Day debut

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      THEO WALCOTT has promised to bring a new type of analysis to Match of the Day ahead of his debut appearance.The Arsenal legend will be in the BBC studio on Saturday night to provide his insight on the weekend’s games.Theo Walcott will make his Match of the Day debut this weekendCredit: RexWalcott, who hung up his boots last year after a spell at Southampton, said he wants to bring a different outlook on the biggest talking points.He said: “I feel I will be a different kind of sports pundit.”I will always like to bring a positive outlook and the insights of how I as a player would have responded in that way when a certain situation happens.“I would really look at it in depth, the fact that it could be simple, like body position, or shirt pulling, something that could have just really disrupted a certain situation happening.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”We all look at the TV and say ‘he should have scored that’ – but do we actually really break it down? Then try to take a look at why has he not hit the target?“I am going to be that kind of pundit I suppose and see if it works for me.”Walcott is ready for his role on Match of the Day after helping the BBC with their coverage of the Euros over the summer.The ex-England star has also landed a job on the Beeb’s new Champions League highlights show.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSArsenal start their European campaign away at Atalanta on Thursday.But Walcott reckons the Premier League could be where glory lies, explaining: “I have said Arsenal will win the league – and they are going to have to be exceptional to win the league.How Raheem Sterling can make huge difference to Arsenal’s season“The way Manchester City have started, they have just wiped people to the floor and they have the fear factor now that when they walk on the field, the opposition players and their fans are terrified.“I would be worried as a league that we don’t want it to be a one-horse race.“We have got to be wary of Liverpool as well, they have started exceptionally well.”Walcott’s career2005-2006: Southampton: 23 appearances, 5 goals2006-2018: Arsenal: 397 appearances, 108 goals2018-2020: Everton: 85 appearances, 11 goals2021-2023: Southampton: 59 appearances, 5 goals2006-2016: England: 47 appearances, 8 goalsHonours: 2x FA Cups, 2x Community Shields More

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      BBC MOTD pundit slammed by international manager for ‘talking s*** all the time’

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      NEW Wales manager Craig Bellamy once berated pundit Micah Richards for “talking s*** all the time”.The Match of the Day analyst was speaking about the Nations League with pals Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker on the Stick to Football podcast.Pundit Micah Richards recalled the time he was “mugged off” by Craig BellamyThe former Man City defender’s story left Gary Lineker in stitchesWales boss Bellamy told Micah Richards to up his punditry gameAfter dissecting England’s 2-0 win over Ireland, attentions turned to Wales, who kicked off their international break with a goalless draw against Turkey. Bellamy left Burnley after two years as an assistant to take charge of the Welsh national team, following the departure of Rob Page after the nation failed to qualify for Euro 2024.It prompted Richards to recall a “quick story” about visiting Bellamy – or “Bells” – before Burnley’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City last season.Richards said: “Bellers is Marmite. You either love him or you hate him. He worked his socks off when he was at Man City.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But he would tell you how it is. If you played rubbish he would tell you. “So I’ve gone to see Vincent Kompany last season before Burnley’s first game of the season last year, I went to a training session and I went to the game.”And I’m walking into Turf Moor and I see Bellamy come up and he goes ‘F*** me, you’re f***ing everywhere talking s*** all the time’.””And I said ‘Bellers what do you mean?’.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”You boys on analysis don’t know what you’re talking about. You’ve got basic analysis. It’s ABC, 123 stuff. If you want proper analysis come to a Burnley training and I will show you how it is done.”I was thinking to myself whether or not he was being serious or if he was having banter. But he was being deadly serious. I did not know how to take it.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers”I didn’t say nothing, I got in my car and drove home and just thought he’s just mugged me right off there and I’ve basically just taken it.”The brutal anecdote left Lineker and Shearer in stitches as they both burst out in laughter.Richards then admitted that he’ll be pulling Bellamy up on certain bits and pieces when he sees his former Man City team-mate again.Man City signed the former Welsh winger back in January 2009 from West Ham for £14m.Bellamy also formed a successful strike partnership with Shearer at Newcastle between 2001-2005 under Bobby Robson.Meanwhile, the appointment of Bellamy as Wales manager was to push for a rebrand before the 2026 World Cup and Euro 2028, when Cardiff will stage matches. Bellamy, who won 78 Welsh caps, scoring 19 goals, never qualified for a major finals and hopes for his first win as boss against Montenegro tonight. More

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      Joe Hart’s Match of the Day appearance with Lineker divides fans as some confused by him ‘going on about smelling stuff’

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      JOE HART’S Match of the Day punditry has split opinion among viewers.The former Manchester City and England keeper, 37, hung up his gloves at the end of last season after winning the double with Celtic.Joe Hart appeared on Match of the Day for a second time on Saturday nightCredit: BBCHart’s opinion in between Gary Lineker and Danny Murphy divided opinionCredit: BBCHe was a part of the BBC’s coverage of Euro 2024, regularly offering his insight to presenter Gary Lineker and those watching at home.Now he is set to become a regular fixture on Match of the Day following the departure of Arsenal legend Ian Wright.Hart’s first appearance on the iconic highlights programme came earlier this month as he suffered a blunder by getting Newcastle star Joelinton’s name wrong.But two weeks later he was back on the MOTD screen when he accompanied Lineker and ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy on Saturday night.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd some people were loving his appearance on the show.One social media user said: “Joe Hart is probably BBC’s MOTD best analyst and he only just joined lol.”While another added: “How good is Joe Hart as a pundit by the way? Breath of fresh air! 👍”And a third replied: “Joe Hart really is an excellent addition to #MOTD. His analysis is detailed and insightful, and focuses on really breaking down moments in a way MOTD often doesn’t.”Most read in SportCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAwkward moment Celtic hero Joe Hart gets Newcastle star’s name wrong live on Match of the DayBut others were somewhat confused by a few of his comments and left unimpressed.One person said: “Does Joe Hart think he’s Gordan Ramsay on #motd? Keeps going on about smelling stuff.”A second agreed, responding: “Why is Joe Hart talking like a poet?? ‘They can smell it, they can smell it’ 😂 #MOTD.”And another added: “Joe Hart was a fantastic GK and will forever be a Celtic legend, but Jesus Christ he is a boring a** pundit.”Drones on and on and on about teams ”smelling’ their opponents. Ready to jump off a cliff. His analysis is neither insightful nor interesting with his monotone voice.”Hart is one of two ex-footballers replacing Wright on Match of the Day, with former England international Theo Walcott the other.After being announced as a pundit on the show, Hart said: “I’m very excited, very proud, and looking forward to growing into an incredible role on something that I grew up watching.”I want to try and give back as much as I can from the career I’ve had and keep learning.”I’m thrilled to be in an around an incredible set up, learning first and foremost in a new part of my life.”Some fans were confused by Hart’s references to ‘smelling’Credit: BBC More