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      Match of the Day’s future decided as TV giants snub show ‘amid fears over viewing figures and advertising market’

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      THE BBC is set to retain the rights for Match of the Day.According to The Daily Mail, the iconic show will remain with the broadcaster for another four years from 2025.
      The BBC is set to retain the rights for Match of The DayCredit: BBC
      Gary Lineker is expected to hold contract talks with the broadcasterCredit: Alamy
      The likes of Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV decided against bidding for the rights to Match of the Day as they do not find it commercially viable.
      All three broadcasters cited falling viewing figures and a difficult advertising market as their reasons for not bidding.
      ITV and Channel 4 have both strengthened their football coverage in recent years by winning the rights to England matches.
      However, neither will be able to show the Premier League in the near future.
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      ITV executives held exploratory talks with England’s top tier in recent weeks, but they concluded that taking Match of the Day on will risk disrupting their Saturday evening entertainment schedule.
      The commercial factor is also a concern as all Premier League goals are now available to view online shortly after 5:15pm each Saturday.

      Fewer matches are also set to take place on Saturdays in the next broadcast cycle from 2025 to 2029 meaning broadcasters will likely have to pay for two highlights shows – something they are reluctant to do.
      The first episode of Match of the Day was aired in 1964.
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      Gary Lineker has presented the popular Saturday night show since 1999.
      The BBC’s retention of Match of the Day will trigger new contract talks with the former England striker.
      There are no guarantees he will remain with the show after a bumpy year.
      If he were to move on, bookmakers make Jermaine Jenas the favourite to become the new host at 2/1.
      Alex Scott, Micah Richards and Mark Chapman are among the other top contenders should the hotseat become vacant. More

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      Arsenal should have had penalty against Chelsea after ‘terrible challenge’, slams Alan Shearer on Match of the Day

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      ALAN SHEARER believes Arsenal should’ve been awarded a penalty against Chelsea on Saturday.The Newcastle legend discussed the incident during this week’s episode of Match of the Day.
      Arsenal fans claimed the Gunners should’ve had a penalty for a challenge from Robert Sanchez on Gabriel JesusCredit: Sky Sports
      Alan Shearer also believed the Gunners should’ve been awarded a penaltyCredit: BBC
      Midway through the second half, with Arsenal 2-0 down, a cross was sent into Chelsea’s penalty area.
      But as Gabriel Jesus jumped up in an attempt to win the ball, Blues goalkeeper Robert Sanchez clattered into him.
      Neither the referee nor VAR deemed it to be a foul, but Shearer branded it a stonewall penalty.
      Speaking on Match of the Day, the ex-England striker said: “They should have had (a penalty). There’s no doubt about it.
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      “Sanchez has just come out, and he wipes him out, Jesus.
      “What’s key for me is that he catches him in the head.
      “Look, he goes right through him here. It’s a terrible challenge.
      “How on earth can the VAR not think that’s a penalty, and the referee? He is nowhere near the ball.”
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      Arsenal fans agreed with Shearer, with one person tweeting: “Shirt pull on (Takehiro) Tomiyasu, Jesus completely taken out by Sanchez without getting the ball but foul given the other way. That should be a penalty.”
      Another added: “I still can’t believe we weren’t given a penalty for that Sanchez challenge on Jesus.”
      A third wrote: “I don’t know why keepers are still getting away with this, flying in the air and missing the ball completely, start punishing them, the referees think it’s ok.”
      While another referenced the penalty that was given against Arsenal earlier in the game after the ball hit William Saliba’s arm, adding: “It’s madness that Chelsea got a pen for Saliba jumping for a ball going out for a goal kick but we didn’t when Sanchez assaulted Jesus.”
      Despite going 2-0 down, Arsenal bounced back in the second half to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.
      Declan Rice capitalised on a misplaced pass from Sanchez before firing the ball into an empty net from over 30 yards out.
      And Leandro Trossard scored the equaliser from the back post following an excellent cross from Bukayo Saka. More

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      BBC quietly axe iconic football show less than a month after Alex Scott and Dan Walker’s blazing Football Focus row

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      THE BBC have quietly axed MOTDx.This comes less than a month after Football Focus hosts Alex Scott and Dan Walker were involved in a public spat amid reports of a drop in viewing figures.
      Jermaine Jenas hosted MOTDxCredit: PA
      MOTDx was hosted by Jermaine Jenas and has been on screens since 2019.
      It took a relaxed look at football and targeted younger audiences.
      The Match of the Day spin-off was packed with exclusive interviews and it also delved into music, fashion and culture.
      It aired on BBC Three and BBC Two.
      A BBC spokesperson said: “We have made some changes to our football output this season which means we will be producing even more digital content for audiences across BBC Sport platforms.
      “Whilst we are proud of MOTDx and would like to thank everyone involved, it will no longer continue.”
      The changes mentioned come after Scott and Walker were involved in a public debate over fellow BBC footie show Football Focus.
      Walker, who now works for Channel 5, claimed the programme was “struggling”.
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      And last year Beeb chief Tim Davie admitted that the channel’s plan to “lurch to youth” would be abandoned.
      Walker stated on Twitter: “It’s hard to see Football Focus struggling. I loved it growing up and it was an honour to present it and I still miss it.

      “We poured everything into that show every week and worked hard to keep it relevant. I hope it stays part of the TV landscape.”
      Scott replied “interesting” in what some thought was a dig at her predecessor.
      Walker hit back, adding: “I’m not saying you haven’t [worked hard] Alex. It’s a saturated market and it’s hard work every week. I hope you have a good show today.”
      MOTDx is not the only iconic show to lose it’s slot this season with Soccer AM axed by Sky Sports after 20 years. More

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      Match of the Day fans could see Gary Lineker in just his pants again as he makes promise to Richards and Shearer

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      GARY LINEKER has made a promise that he will present Match of The Day in his pants again – on one condition.The presenter famously presented the show back in his underwear in 2016 after Leicester City won the league.
      Lineker presented in his undies in 2016Credit: handout
      Lineker said he’d do it again on one conditionCredit: BBC
      Lineker made the promise to do the show in just his undies if his hometown club won the league earlier that season – when Leicester started off as 5000/1 outsiders to take the title.
      The Foxes ended up winning the league that year by a whopping 10 points ahead of their closest title rivals, Arsenal.
      Lineker was speaking about the feat on his Match of The day podcast alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer.
      The trio began by talking about how good Leicester were that season with Alan Shearer saying: “They were deadly that season, weren’t they?”
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      Lineker then said “I mean Jamie Vardy, that run he had…”
      Richards then interjected by saying: “Is that when you came out presenting Match of the Day with your pants on?”
      After Lineker explained that he did so after Leicester won the league, Richards asked if he would be doing it anytime soon if Leicester got promoted.
      Lineker then made the vague promise: “If Leicester won the league again, I’ll do it.”
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      But with Lineker vaguely saying won the league, Shearer wondered if he meant the Championship title and said: “Even The Championship?”
      Which led to Lineker reiterating that the promise only applied to if Leicester pulled off the miracle of winning the Premier League again.
      A disappointed Richards said: “They’re not going to win the Premier League again are they?”

      And Lineker quipped back: “Micah, do you want to see me in my pants in my sixties?”
      Leicester have made a blistering start to the Championship season under Pep’s former assistant Enzo Maresca.
      The club have 10 wins from their opening 11 and already have a 10 point lead on Ipswich, who sit in third outside of the promotion places.
      So it looks like if Lineker was to make the promise apply to The Championship, it’s highly likely that viewers would see him in his undies again. More

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      Match of the Day fans mercilessly mock caption writers after ‘cringe’ Kai Havertz pun following first Arsenal goal

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      FANS of Match of the Day have mocked the show’s caption writers for a cringey Kai Havertz pun after his first Arsenal goal.The German international, 24, was handed the opportunity to open his Gunners account from the penalty spot by regular takers Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
      Kai Havertz got his first goal for Arsenal in the 4-0 defeat of BournemouthCredit: Rex
      And he made no mistake with his spot-kick, much to the delight of the away supporters and his team-mates.
      The travelling Gooners showered Havertz in song.
      While, the players surrounded the forward to congratulate him for his strike.
      But, most bizarrely, even Match of the Day’s caption writers were in on the fun.
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      They shared an image of Havertz holding the ball in his hands, before his penalty attempt.
      Though, in quite a cringy pun, they wrote on the photo: “Hav-some of that-ertz.”
      Fans on social media were merciless when it come to mocking the words.
      One wrote: “Cringeworthy would be too kind.”
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      Match of the Day’s caption writers had fun with the German’s strike
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      A second added: “Big drop off in quality from ‘Ballon d’Awson’ earlier in the programme.”
      A third penned: “That hurts.”
      A fourth added: “What is this.”
      Havertz had been under scrutiny since signing for the Gunners from Chelsea in a £65million deal.
      Fans and pundits had been critical of his performances since his move across London.
      However, in his 10th game for the club he finally managed to break his duck.
      The Gunners were in irresistible form on Saturday at the Vitality Stadium.
      They romped to a 4-0 win against the woeful Cherries, who had no answer.
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      It was Bukayo Saka who got Arsenal off to a flyer, before Martin Odegaard and Havertz scored from the spot.
      Ben White added gloss to proceedings in injury time with a late header, as Mikel Arteta’s men marched up the table. More

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      Gary Lineker’s diet revealed as 62-year-old Match of the Day presenter explains how he stays in shape

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      GARY LINEKER has revealed how he continues to stay in top shape despite being aged 62.The England legend shot to superstardom across the globe with his exploits in front of goal during the 1980s and early 90s.
      Gary Lineker has revealed how he stays in such good shape at the age of 62Credit: Getty
      The Match of the Day host is sticking to the popular OMAD dietCredit: BBC
      Lineker made the breakthrough with his hometown club Leicester City before going on to fire them in for the likes of Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham.
      He scored 48 goals in 80 caps for the Three Lions and finished his playing career in Japan with Nagoya Grampus before entering the world of punditry.
      Lineker then replaced Des Lynham as host of Match of the Day in 1999 and has remained in the chair since and now earns £1.35m-a-year in the role.
      However, the much-loved icon still remains in impressive shape despite now being well into his sixties.
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      And now he has revealed the secrets behind his success physically and is that he is following  Coldplay singer Chris Martin in the OMAD (one meal a day) diet plan.
      Lineker told The Times: “I care about the way I look. I’m a bit vain.”
      He said that he works out “three days a week with a personal trainer” that he describes as “killer sessions” and he also does “an hour of Pilates”. 
      However, despite sticking to the OMAD diet plan, he still indulges in a drink.
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      He said: “I like wine, I like whisky. I never get hangovers.
      “That’s one of the luckiest things. I’ll get tired the next day if I had a big one, but I don’t get bad headaches or anything. I’ve never had one.”
      Martin embarked on the OMAD diet after seeing Bruce Springsteen’s physique on the same regime and Hollywood star Liz Hurley has also hailed it.
      It has been claimed that eating less and giving food more time to digest lowers inflammation, which reduces the risk of depression, heart problems, cancer and autoimmune diseases.
      And researchers in Canada reckon it can lead to the safe loss of up to 13 per cent of weight, and a US study in 2015 concluded the plan left people less likely to develop coronary artery disease and diabetes.
      But other studies found it hampers fighting infection, increases the risk of heart disease and shortens dieters’ lifespans, because eating all your food in one go can damage cells.
      And nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert says one meal a day could play havoc with blood-sugar levels, leaving dieters feeling dizzy, tired and craving carbs. More

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      Legendary football presenter is now enjoying new career as real-life Dr Doolittle ‘making animals speak English’

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      DES LYNAM has swapped presenting for a new career as a real-life Dr Doolittle.The legendary former football presenter is known for presenting Grandstand and Match of the Day during his time on TV.
      Des Lynam has swapped presenting for a career as the real-life Dr DoolittleCredit: Rex Features
      Lynam has written two parts one and two of Now Who’s Talking?
      Lynam also hosted coverage from Wimbledon, the Grand National and the World Cup during his broadcasting career.
      However, he has now swapped TV for the book shelf after writing a series of animal-themed books.
      His first two were even published earlier this year, with parts one and two of Now Who’s Talking? going on sale.
      Speaking to Sussex World in July, Lynam explained: “It never occurred to me about writing about animals.
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      “I was looking out of the window one day, and the two magpies who usually stood together were at opposite ends of the garden.
      “I wondered if they’d had a row. Obviously, we don’t know how they communicate, so I made it up from there.
      “I made them speak English obviously, and created some dialogue, that was the first one and it grew from there, doing other animals. I thought it was quite funny and hoped somebody else would.
      “Then one day Bryony Hill, widow of Jimmy Hill, phoned me up and asked me what I was up to.
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      “When I told her she asked me to read them to her over the phone, thankfully she laughed out loud, she found them hilarious.
      “She then said ‘I’d love to do the illustrations for them’ … she sent me some and they were perfect.”
      Lynam’s idea soon snowballed and he has since written enough for four books, including farmyard and baby animal versions.
      “Someone suggested I get them published,” the 80-year-old added.
      Lynam had his first two animal-themed books published in JulyCredit: BBC
      “So I contacted BBC publications, they said the best publishers out there for this kind of new work were Austin Macauley. So, I sent them in, and they sent back glowing praise, which I found astonishing and very heartening.
      “Jonathan Martin, who was my Head of Sport at the BBC, asked me where I got that imagination from! And Dick Knight (ex-Brighton and Hove Albion chairman) joked ‘If you’re not careful you’ll be rich again!’
      “Since I stopped doing television, people often ask me, what do you do all day now? ‘I say stare out of the window into space’, and this is what that’s produced!” More

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      Gary Lineker nominates two England stars and former title winner to replace him as MOTD presenter

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      GARY LINEKER has tipped two England stars as potential replacements for him on Match of the Day.And he also nominated a former Leicester City Premier League title winner as another contender to step into the much-loved show’s hotseat in the future.
      Gary Lineker has named his tips to replace him in the Match of the Day hotseatCredit: Alamy
      He mentioned England stars James Maddison and Mason Mount as potential hostsCredit: Reuters
      The legendary ex-England striker worked as a pundit on the long-running programme before replacing Des Lynham as presenter in 1999.
      Lineker hit the headlines back in March after he criticised the Government’s treatment of refugees and likened Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s language to that used in 1930s Germany.
      That led to the BBC suspending him, although he returned to hosting duties after a huge show of support from colleagues and the football world.
      The 62-year-old is now back in the famous chair and recently launched The Rest Is Football podcast alongside MOTD pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
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      During the latest episode, the topic of Lineker’s potential long-term successor came up, with Shearer first bringing up the name of Tottenham attacker James Maddison.
      The Newcastle icon said: “I think James Maddison because I think he talks really, really well.”
      Lineker then added: “He’s very eloquent and he’s very good tactically. I think he’s the best of the players in the post-match interview.”
      He then brought up ex-Leicester star Kasper Schmeichel before throwing Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount’s name into the mix, saying: “Kasper Schmeichel as a goalkeeper, very good. His dad’s done lots of punditry, that’s not a bad shout.
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      “Can you remember Alan, when we did the World Cup in Moscow and there were three young footballers?
      “It was Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Ryan Sessegnon. They came to watch us do the TV shows. And Mason Mount sat in my chair and was doing a few things to camera, and he wasn’t too bad.
      “Who knows, maybe Mason Mount, we’ll see.”
      But Micah Richards has his own ideas – and it was another Leicester City player he had in mind.
      The ex-Man City ace said: “A little bit left field, but Conor Coady. In terms of people want strikers, but I’m going with a defender.
      “He knows the game really well, speaks really good. I’ve worked with him on Match of the Day and he’s done Sky as well.”
      Former Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was also mentioned by LinekerCredit: PA:Press Association More