Gary Lineker is standing by his criticism of the “hideously racist” media treatment of refugees after his comments prompted online abuse and a call by Ukip to have him sacked from Match of the Day.
The former England striker was drawn into a row about whether adults were being accepted into Britain as unaccompanied children in a scheme to resettle refugees from the Calais camp.
On Wednesday the Sun claimed one of those who it said had been accepted was “35 if he’s a day” and that it was a “fiasco” for the British authorities to take their ages on trust. The Tory MP David Davies said dental checks should be used to verify ages, in a call later rejected by the Home Office as “unethical”.
On Tuesday Lineker had tweeted about the refugees’ situation.
The treatment by some towards these young refugees is hideously racist and utterly heartless. What's happening to our country?
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 18, 2016
His stance was applauded by campaigners for refugees.
Thank you @GaryLineker for speaking out about this. The world needs more compassionate people like you! https://t.co/gfvl42zxAu
— Care4Calais (@Care4Calais) October 19, 2016
But the Ukip spokesman Patrick O’Flynn called for Lineker to be sacked from Match of the Day for expressing political views on the issue.
If Mr Lineker wants to be Lib-Left political voice then fair enough, but get him off MOTD please.Time to pass baton to Jermaine Jenas anyway
— Patrick O'Flynn (@oflynnmep) October 18, 2016
Lineker later complained that he had also been subjected to much online “stick” for his comments.
One asked: “So how many are you taking into your home then Gary? Very easy to shout racist mate when you’re sitting on a crisp fortune.”
But Lineker stood by his remarks, rounding on one critic.
I'll say what I want on my twitter feed, thanks. However old they are they're bloody human beings, like you....well sort of. https://t.co/j3bq24k7Ox
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 19, 2016
Wonder what makes some people feel, by sheer good fortune of place of birth, superior to others. I need a lie down.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 19, 2016
• This article was amended on 20 October 2016 to clarify that the words quoted from the Sun were in Wednesday’s edition, published after Gary Lineker’s tweet on Tuesday.
