via Imago
L: Lewis Hamilton R: Gary Linekar Image credits: Imago
via Imago
L: Lewis Hamilton R: Gary Linekar Image credits: Imago
The controversy around the 2021 F1 season finale has refused to die down. To this day, fans recall the infamous night in Abu Dhabi where Lewis Hamilton controversially missed out on a record-breaking 8th world championship. Following the incident, even FIA in its report admitted what had happened was the result of a “human error”. Despite that, they refused to overturn the decision and maintained the status quo on Max Verstappen winning his maiden championship. Fans once again recalled the incident as the debate around Gary Lineker rages on.
Lineker, a former English soccer player and currently a BBC presenter, criticized the UK government over its policy on illegal immigration. That was enough for BBC, the state-controlled broadcaster, to suspend Lineker from his duties as the presenter of the popular show, Match of The Day. The move invited criticism from all quarters, including personalities from other sports and countries. A famous American boxing promoter had some harsh words for the UK government as well after Gary’s suspension.
Fans slam former F1 champ, reminding him of the 2021 Lewis Hamilton saga amidst Lineker controversy
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Many view Lineker’s suspension as an attempt to stop him from expressing his political views in public. The other side cites a part of his contract with the BBC that possibly restricts him from expressing such opinions on social media. This has started an online debate over whether sports experts should not express their political opinions outside their professional environment.
Damon Hill, giving his two cents on the issue, feels Gary should be viewed as two persons- one as a soccer expert, and the second as a Twitter personality. However, while expressing his opinion, Hill cleared that he did not agree with Lineker on certain issues. That is what prompted fans to remind him of the Hamilton-Verstappen saga and question his views.
Why didn't the @SkySportsF1 team speak out privately about the Abu Dhabi Fraud then, Damon, instead of brushing it under the carpet? Complicity with those in charge is never the answer.
🤔🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐— Chris Meirick (@MeirickChris) March 11, 2023
Read More: F1 Star Lando Norris Gives $240K Worth McLaren Beast His Special Personalized Touch
You don’t necessarily agree that the words invasion and word associations of foreign/criminals and suggesting 100 million will come to the uk is not similar to The 30s!? What a world.
— Jimmy Holdem (@MrJimmyHolden) March 11, 2023
“Don’t necessarily agree with him”
What part do you not agree with it?
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) March 11, 2023
More than shocked and disappointed you don’t agree with him as every passing minute his views look more accurate
— Andy Yeats (@HarlowYellow) March 11, 2023
One fan pointed out that it was a duty for people with a large audience to speak up against fascism, a duty they felt Lineker fulfilled.
For many decades following the Second World War it was emphasised that fascist ideology must be countered and stopped whenever it appears. And it's up to everyone, *especially* those with a large audience to speak out when it does. Gary is doing the right thing by history.
— Mark Hewitt 🇬🇧🇪🇺🇺🇦 (@MarkHewitt1978) March 11, 2023
Please remember that us F1 fans are also not the "eejits" some of your associates in the sport take us for, specifically pointing to the opinions forced on us after Abu Dhabi & cost cap. This season looks a non event too, i'll hasten to add.
Agree with your overall point though— F1losophy (@f1losophy) March 11, 2023
Do we not need to look at what happened to Johnny Herbert! He gave his honest opinion of what happened with LH44 in Abu Dhabi on @SkySportsF1 and didn't get his contract renewed! #FreedomOfSpeech 🤔
— Shane 🏴 (@Outlander_61) March 11, 2023
Why don’t you agree with him? Historical Thirties German policy mirrors recent legislation and the trajectory of this government.
— Steve Cee (@thestevecee) March 11, 2023
Watch This Story: Mercedes React to FIA’s admission of “Human Error” in the Verstappen-Hamilton Scandal
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@GaryLineker is just behaving like a decent person. Should he voice his views whilst being a media profile? Absolutely! That’s what the politicians are doing and now they object that someone with a platform that could be more powerful than theirs, voices objection.
— John R. Uppard (@JohnUppard) March 11, 2023
You don't agree with him??? You think what the government is doing and the language it's using is absolutely tickety boo? It's incredibly sad when people you have admired and respected for years indicate they are worthy of neither.
— Wendy 💙 (@kippaxcat) March 11, 2023
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Do you think Gary was out of line for expressing his opinion outside of his professional sphere? Should he keep his political views to himself in case his contract with the BBC expressly tells him to?
