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      Why isn’t Gary Lineker presenting Match of the Day?

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      MATCH OF THE DAY viewers have been left surprised after being deprived of Gary Lineker again.Three weeks ago, his entire career at the BBC was up in the air after an impartiality row.
      Gary Lineker was conspicuously absent from Match of the Day on SaturdayCredit: EPA
      But that issue was resolved after a fan backlash over the Beeb’s decision to axe the presenter.
      Upon reaching a deal, BBC Director General Tim Davie said: “Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend.”
      And that agreement may leave some even more surprised that he is not presenting this evening’s show.
      So what, exactly, has happened?
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      Why isn’t Gary Lineker presenting Match of the Day?
      Gary Lineker has been very up front about his reasons for missing MOTD this evening.
      And fans have no reason to be worried that he will be off-air for the long run.
      Lineker tweeted earlier today: “Just so there’s no misunderstanding, I won’t be doing @BBCMOTD tonight.
      “I’m not suspended, just on holiday. Back next week. 😂👍🏻”
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      Why was Gary Lineker suspended before?
      Gary Lineker was suspended because the BBC ruled that a tweet he posted about Home Secretary Suella Braverman broke impartiality rules.
      He responded to a video of her setting out the Government’s Migration Bill, labelling the language being used similar to 1930s Germany.
      Lineker tweeted: “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s, and I’m out of order?”
      However, the BBC agreed to review its social media guidelines for presenters who aren’t covering current affairs.
      And they allowed Lineker to return to air so long as he agrees to follow the current rules while the new ones are being drawn up. More

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      Gary Lineker reveals reason why he missed Match of the Day, three weeks after BBC row

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      GARY LINEKER revealed earlier this evening that he would NOT be presenting Match of the Day, three weeks after being taken off the show by the BBC.The presenter was reinstated to the show after being taken off it for what the Beeb said was a breach of impartiality rules.
      Gary Lineker revealed he would not be presenting Match of the Day tonightCredit: PA
      Lineker criticised the Government’s treatment of refugees and likened Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s language to that used in 1930s Germany.
      But he reassured viewers that he has not been suspended again, and is simply on holiday.
      Taking to Twitter, Lineker wrote: “Just so there’s no misunderstanding, I won’t be doing @BBCMOTD tonight.
      “I’m not suspended, just on holiday. Back next week. 😂👍🏻”
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      Following his previous suspension, Lineker’s BBC Sport colleagues rallied around him and refused to participate in broadcasts until his reinstatement.
      The 62-year-old returned for the Beeb’s FA Cup coverage the following weekend, before having to miss another broadcast due to being unwell.
      Earlier this week, Lineker won a £4.9million tax battle.
      HMRC had claimed he should have been classed as an employee of the BBC and BT Sport for presenting duties, rather than as a freelancer.
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      The taxman pursued him for £4.9million it said was owed on his income between 2013 and 2018.
      But Lineker insisted all taxes were paid on the income via a partnership set up in 2012 with then-wife Danielle Bux.
      Legislation called IR35 tackles tax avoidance by so-called disguised employees, who charge for services via limited firms.
      But tribunal judge John Brooks found that because Lineker had direct contracts with both the BBC and BT Sport, IR35 did not apply in this case. More

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      Haas boss Guenther Steiner leaves F1 fans at Australian GP in stitches with brutal ‘your mum’ joke

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      FORMULA ONE team principal Guenther Steiner left fans in stitches after a brutal fan putdown. Thanks to Netflix’s Drive to Survive F1 series lifting a lid on the Italian, Haas team chief Steiner is known to be prone to angry tantrums as he much as he is a cheeky joke.
      Guenther Steiner produced a brutal putdown after a fan asked a question during a Q&ACredit: Getty

      And during a Q&A session with fans ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, one young petrol head found himself on the receiving end of one of his jokes.
      The young Aussie, named Noah, asked who was the better driver out of Haas duo Kevin Magnussen or Nico Hulkenberg.
      Steiner then responded by saying: “Ask your mum.
      “Who does she like better, you or your brother?”
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      The 57-year-old could not help but cast a wide grin after his comeback, with the crowd also left cheering and clapping the response.
      Fans online were also quick to chip in.
      One fan said: “They had to carry that kid off on a stretcher.”
      A second admitted: “I thought he was gonna end at ask your mum 🤣.”
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      A third declared: “Guenther is a worldwide treasure!”
      “Classic Gunther Steiner. Wouldn’t have it any other way,” commented a fourth.
      Another added: “GOAT.”
      Haas scored their first point of the season in last week’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix as Magnussen managed a P10 finish.
      They will be hoping the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne will see both drivers earn points.
      Further up the order, Lewis Hamilton and Co will be hoping to close the gap to the dominance of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
      They have secured one-two finishes in the two opening races of the season.
      Verstappen dominated in Bahrain before Perez won around Saudi Arabia as Verstappen recovered from a P15 start position to finish P2. More

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      FA breach TV blackout rules on police advice over fan safety fears for Man City’s FA Cup clash against Sheffield United

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      THE FA will lift their Saturday TV blackout for Manchester City’s semi-final against Sheffield United because of police advice.City’s match at Wembley on April 22 will kick-off at 4:45pm – which clashes with the 2.45pm-5.15pm blackout period – and will be shown on ITV1.
      The FA will lift their Saturday TV blackout for Manchester City’s semi-final against Sheffield UnitedCredit: Rex
      According to the Daily Mail, the FA wanted the usual 5.30pm start for Saturday semi-finals.
      But police told them the game could not kick-off any later than 4.45pm on safety grounds.
      It means the FA have been forced to breach their own blackout rules, which have been in place since the 1960s.
      A spokesperson for the FA said: “The kick-off times for our fixtures are scheduled in collaboration with the clubs, local authorities, police, and broadcasters.
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      “We were informed by the police and local safety advisory group that 16.45 was the latest time possible for this tie.”
      The ruling was introduced, at the instigation of then-Burnley chairman Bob Lord more than 50 years ago, in the belief that it would prevent TV football damaging attendances at other matches.
      During coronavirus lockdown, when games where played behind closed doors, matches were aired during the blackout period.
      And the EFL are also willing to end it from the 2024-25 season as part of their new TV rights deal.
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      DAZN are among the bidders for the next three-season package of EFL rights, with competitors including Sky, Viaplay and TNT Sports, the new name for what was BT Sport until the takeover by Discovery.
      EFL bosses are looking to increase the current package, worth £119m per season, to £200m plus, a huge potential financial lifeline for struggling clubs.
      But the DAZN option would see a huge increase in the number of games available including the traditional Saturday afternoon slot, currently protected from broadcasting by Article 48 of Uefa Statutes.
      DAZN argues that under the current system, with matches on Sky, lower division fans are being starved of the chance to watch their teams unless they go to the matches.
      Only 20 games League One are shown each season, 10 in League Two and last season 26 of the 72 EFL clubs did not feature at all.
      The EFL are also willing to end the TV blackout from the 2024-25 seasonCredit: Rex More

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      Channel 4 host Jules Breach brutally taunts Gerrard and Cole in opening line to coverage of England’s win over Italy

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      ENGLAND heroes Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole were savagely taunted by Channel 4 host Jules Breach on live TV.Gerrard and Cole teamed up with Breach as well as legendary Lioness Jill Scott to cover the Three Lions’ 2-1 victory over Italy in Naples.
      Jules Breach trolled Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole before England vs ItalyCredit: Rex
      Jules Breach was joined by Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole and Jill ScottCredit: Rex
      The Liverpool legend and the ex-Chelsea star found themselves subjected to some brutal banter when the presenter introduced all three pundits before the Euro 2024 qualifier.
      The journalist presented the two golden generation stars and then pointed out how Scott is the only member of the panel that actually won something for England after last year’s women’s Euros triumph.
      Breach said: “I’m here alongside two members of the England golden generation…
      “And someone who has actually won something in an England shirt, Jill Scott!”
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      But Gerrard and Cole took it on the chin as they started laughing at Breach’s quip.
      The former Aston Villa boss hit back by explaining how the reference was not in relation to Scott’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here win last year.
      The former Everton and Manchester City star in turn quipped: “That’s fine, I’ll just take the Euros. That’s fine.”
      That interaction left fans in stitches as they took to social media to join in on all the fun.
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      One supporter tweeted: “I thought Steven Gerrard was going to headbutt Jules Breach when she said ‘we’re joined by two players of the golden generation, and a player that’s actually won something for England’.”
      Another commented: “Class! That made me chuckle.”
      A third posted: “Introduction they wasn’t expecting.” More

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      John Motson laid to rest as football stars mourn BBC commentary legend at his funeral

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      FOOTBALL stars mourned John Motson as the legendary commentator was laid to rest at his funeral today.The BBC pundit and iconic voice of football died aged 77 last month leaving the world of sport reeling.
      John Motson sadly passed away last month at the age of 77Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The coffin of John Motson is carried into Crownhill Crematorium, Milton KeynesCredit: PA
      Mark Lawrenson, Bob Wilson and Ray Stubbs arrive for the funeralCredit: PA
      Pundit Garth Crooks was also seen attending the ceremony to send off MottyCredit: PA
      Commentator Martin Tyler arrives at the funeral serviceCredit: PA
      Martin Keown arrives ahead of a funeral service for sport commentator John MotsonCredit: PA
      Bob Wilson and Sir Trevor Brooking greet each other before the serviceCredit: PA
      A floral wreath of the Tottenham Hotspur badge ahead of Motty’s funeralCredit: PA
      Motty’s wife Anne Motson at the funeralCredit: PA
      Guests coming to pay their respects at the serviceCredit: PA
      Motson, who was affectionately known as Motty, celebrated 50 years at the BBC in 2018 before hanging up his mic in May that year.
      The legendary commentator covered more than 2,000 games, including 29 FA Cup Finals, and covering ten World Cups and ten Euros.
      Friends, families and stars all turned up in memory of Motty at the Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes today.
      Former footballers and broadcasters Mark Lawrenson, Sir Trevor Brooking, Bob Wilson and Ray Stubbs were pictured at the funeral.
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      While pundits Garth Crooks and Martin Keown were also seen arriving to pay their respects to Motty.
      And legendary Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler was also spotted making an appearance as well as broadcasting stalwart Jim Rosenthal.
      MK Dons chairman Pete Winkelman and former CEO of FIFA Brian Barwick also attended to salute the commentary legend as he was laid to rest.
      Tottenham Hotspur FC left a wreath of flowers in the club’s crest with a card describing Motty as “a true gentleman” and “great loss to the footballing world”.
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      The service at Crownhill Crematorium in Milton Keynes, Bucks kicked off at 11.30am with hundreds of mourners queuing to get inside Oak Chapel.
      Others spilled out listening on speakers as Motty’s son Fred said: “Everyone knew John Motson as Motty but of course to me he was just dad,” adding: “I’ll miss my best mate”.
      He remembered helping fill up his Ford Sierra at the local petrol station every Friday ahead of the weekend’s match – before pinching mint imperials from the hotel next door.
      And a vivid memory of decapitating his mum Anne’s ornament while playing hallway football with his dad versus ex-England and Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson and his son.
      The service was followed by a private wake held at Stadium MK, where he regularly watched MK Dons with wife Anne.
      Motson was famed for his signature coat as he became the voice of football for countless generations.
      He was born in Salford and began his journalistic career in Barnet – the team he supports on the Barnet Press.
      He worked as a reporter between 1963 and 1967 before being hired for BBC Radio 2.
      His first radio commentary was an Everton v Derby clash in December 1969.
      Three years later, Motson became a household name thanks to his work on Match of the Day.
      His breakthrough came during Hereford’s shock 2-1 win against Newcastle in the 1972 FA Cup replay.
      Motson was only meant to cover the match for a five-minute segment but Ronnie Radford’s famous 30-yard strike meant the clash was promoted to the main game.
      He famously remarked on the game: “Oh what a goal! Radford the scorer. Ronnie Radford! And the crowd are on the pitch. What a tremendous shot by Ronnie Radford.”
      It helped propel his career even further – with Motson going on to voice major FA Cup, European Championships and World Cup finals.
      Motson’s last day at the BBC came at Crystal Palace’s 2-0 home win against West Brom in 2018. Palace’s then-boss Roy Hodgson presented him with a framed copy of the programmes from his first and last matches.
      He later came out of retirement to join talkSPORT.
      Motson lived in Hertfordshire with his wife Anne, who he married in 1977.
      They have one son together called Fred, who was born in 1986.
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      A huge factor in his success was Anne, who kept a log detailing all his games.
      Motson said: “My research is based mainly on my wife’s wonderful record book which she keeps dutifully and diligently every day of the season with all the teams, matches, appearances, goalscorers, newspaper cuttings, you name it.”
      Motty in his signature sheepskin coatCredit: Rex
      Former CEO of FIFA Brian Barwick arrives to the funeral of John Motson on FridayCredit: PA More

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      Georgina Rodriguez reveals amazing reaction to seeing Cristiano Ronaldo for first time as £10-an-hour shop worker

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      GEORGINA RODRIGUEZ has revealed she thought Cristiano Ronaldo was so handsome the first time she met him as a £10-an-hour clothes shop worker, she had trouble looking him in the eyes.The 29-year-old model and influencer admitted it was “love at first sight” when he walked into the Gucci store in Madrid where she was employed at the time.
      Georgina Rodriguez has revealed her first reaction to meeting Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AP
      And in her first TV interview ever last night she said: “He’s such a handsome man. When I saw him he was so handsome I felt embarrassed to look at him.”
      She also revealed for the first time the 2016 encounter that changed her life was a chance meeting because she was supposed to have left the shop at 5pm and had only stayed on to help a female client that a male colleague normally attended to because he was on holiday. 
      Georgina, who now has two children with the footballer but treats his three kids as if they were her own, said: “I was finally able to leave the shop to go home three hours later than I should have and as I was getting ready to leave Cristiano came in with his eldest son and some friends. Let’s just say it was butterflies in my stomach.”
      The Argentinian-born Spaniard, who admitted to being nervous at the start of her interview on popular night-time Spanish show El Hormiguero but relaxed as the programme went on, also showed off two of her three tattoos and promised to reveal the third in the second series of her new Netflix show out on Friday.
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      One of the inkings she let the cameras do a close-up of was a picture of an angel, dedicated to her twin called Angel who died last April.
      Speaking of the other, consisting of the initials ‘C’ and ‘G’ with a heart between them, Georgina told the show host and members of the studio audience who included her sister Ivana and friends: “The moment I had this tattoo done is on my reality show.
      “It was my first trip to Paris with Cristiano. We were in the hotel room and on the bedside tables they leave notepads with a pencil. I went to lie down and I saw CG on the notepad and ended up taking it and still have it to this day.
      “I always wanted to have a tattoo done with it and we were on holiday with friends in Sardinia and I said I wanted a tattoo, well a tattoo that ended up being three, and I had this one done.”
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      She went on to gush: “Cristiano is marvellous. He’s a wonderful father, a wonderful son, brother, friend and partner, boss and employee because he’s an employee as well. He’s fantastic in every sense of the word.
      “Sometimes we’re at home eating and I look at him and think ‘How lucky I feel to be the one he’s chosen to create this wonderful family’ and I go to bed really happy.”
      Georgina raised eyebrows at the start of the interview, when she admittedly appeared very nervous, by confessing: “I love my children all day, but not those of others.”
      And she caused another stir when she added after explaining both she and Cristiano come from working-class families and try to ensure their children know they are very lucky to have the privileged life they lead: “I tell them they shouldn’t leave their food and if they don’t eat it it’s for their afternoon snack later.
      “At times I put them on videos of children who don’t have food and tell them that’s what could happen to them.”
      Georgina also let slip that she had been offered work on the big screen but had turned down the chance because of a “lack of time.”
      The star, who now has more than 47 million fans on Instagram, said: “I have been offered the chance to do films. Because of a lack of time I haven’t been able to accept any of the roles.
      “I know I would do it well. I have done classical dance which has involved interpreting roles since I was a child.”
      Insisting money had only changed her “for the better” because it meant she could help her family and friends much more than before which was “very gratifying”, she went on to speak glowingly of Saudi Arabia.
      Georgina met the footy star when she was a £10-an-hour Gucci shop workerCredit: Instagram
      The couple and their children are now loving life in Saudi ArabiaCredit: instagram
      Cristiano left Man United by mutual consent last November following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he accused the club of betraying him and admitted he didn’t respect manager Erik ten Tag.
      His £173 million-a-year move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr after the World Cup made him the highest-paid sportsman ever.
      Despite the country’s poor human rights record Georgina made it clear she loves where she now lives and thinks women are well treated there.
      Asked how she was adapting to life in Riadh, where she and her family first lived in a skyscraper hotel before moving to their first proper Middle Eastern home, she said: “It’s a marvellous country.
      “I have to admit I went there very conditioned by what people say about it and what you hear but it’s a very safe country, a real family place and they really look after women and their children. People are very generous and really thoughtful.
      “A girlfriend of mine came to visit and was in a hotel and they hadn’t left her any water. As it was very expensive she went to a call centre but her card wasn’t working and she didn’t have any local currency.
      “A man ended up inviting her to a bottle of water. The people are very kind and very thoughtful.”
      Georgina wasn’t asked about the three miscarriages she is set to reveal she suffered in chapter one of the upcoming second series of her new Netflix show before the loss of her child nearly a year ago. 
      It emerged at the weekend she would make the heart-wrenching confession. 
      Read More on The Sun
      Briefly speaking about the loss of Angel at the end of the interview, she said: “There’s been a lot of darkness but a lot of love. Doing this second series has helped a lot because I had a female director who I really got on with and helped me massively. 
      “My friends have been by my side and Cristiano of course. I’ve had the good fortune to share this tragedy with those closest to me which has also helped.”
      The couple lost one of their twin sons tragically last yearCredit: Alamy More

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      I was a Soccer AM Soccerette TWICE – it was great fun for models like me but I have a different view of it now

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      I LOVED watching Soccer AM so much that I appeared as a Soccerette twice.The weekend show was perfect when you had a hangover from a night out and was essential viewing for a football fan like me.
      I was a Soccer AM Soccerette TWICE – it was great fun for models like me, says Peta Todd
      Peta Todd believes the end of Soccer AM is a sign of the timesCredit: Louis Wood
      I wouldn’t take my kit off on television now, but back then I was a model and was glad to be invited on.
      I enjoyed it enough to return to show off my West Ham top for a second time.
      The hosts were always great to work with – it was always fun.
      I wasn’t the only one who wanted to be on Soccer AM.
      READ MORE ON SOCCER AM
      The calibre of guests such as Wayne Rooney shows how popular it was.
      Soccer AM was the first time I really felt that a female host was holding their own on a football show.
      Torquay United fan Helen Chamberlain was a trailblazer for women in sports presenting.
      There weren’t that many female pundits 30 years ago and few are as well respected as her.
      Most read in Football
      She was able to hold her own with all the banter of those laddish men.
      If there was nonsense going on, she would put her foot down.
      A lot of people will be nostalgic about Soccer AM and it is a shame it is ending.
      But it was a show that thrived in the 1990s and I don’t think it would get commissioned now.
      Its main problem is that younger audiences prefer to watch YouTube shows or listen to podcasts.
      The end of Soccer AM is a sign of the times. More