Gary Lineker slams backlash after Lioness tweet was called sexist

2022-08-03

Gary Lineker has hit back against the backlash he received for his now deleted tweet about the England Women’s team in the Euro 2022 final, labelling the reaction to it “ludicrous”.

The 61 year old was accused of “casual sexism” after he tweeted about footballer Chloe Kelly, who scored the winning goal for the Lionesses on Sunday, following the team’s 2-1 defeat against Germany.

Gary wrote at the time: “The @Lionesses have only gone and done it, and Kelly is England's heroine, bra none.”

After receiving criticism for his tweet, the former footballer promptly deleted it, but has now gone back on his actions, as he has called out those who sent backlash his way.

Gary told The Telegraph: “It was ludicrous. But it was just a few people who, I think, weren't watching the football match. So they've automatically thought I was making a sexist comment because women wear bras."

The presenter continued to say that he decided to delete the tweet, as he thought it might be taken out of context by those not privy to the Euro 2022 game.

Gary explained: "I'm not easily bullied. I think about my tweets all the time. That's why I thought about that one. Because I thought it was quite funny. It was just a play on words, like I do all the time, in most of my tweets when I'm watching football matches.

"I just try to be different, which is what I do on TV. I try to do similar kinds of things and I've always done it. And I just think a few people just took it the wrong way. And I understand that.

“If I've got 8.5 million followers, every tweet I do, someone will have a pop."

Gary’s response was given at the launch of the Ofcom-commissioned report delving into the abuse players received during the first half of last season.

The Lioness’ winning game on Sunday was watched by over 87,000 spectators at Wembley — reaching a new record for attendees at a game held at the stadium.

It was a tense match, as Ella Toone scored the first goal for England just half an hour before the end of the game, before Germany player Lina Magull scored the equaliser two minutes later.

Player Chloe brought it home for the UK though as, in extra time, she powered the winning goal, securing the trophy for the England team.

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