Gary Lineker has hit back at criticism over Premier League footballers' wages during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Tottenham MP - and Spurs fan - David Lammy added his voice to the growing number of politicians and officials who have been critical of footballers for not agreeing to wage cuts whilst non-playing staff are furloughed.
After Julian Knight, chairman of digital, culture, media and sport committee claimed Premier League football as a moral vacuum, Lammy argued the fact players have not yet taken wage cuts or deferrals as 'criminal'
Yet Lineker took issue his description, defending players over how long talks are taking.
He tweeted: "It's not criminal.
"Fact is players are not training together, so meetings would take time to organise.
"I'm positive most of them will want to do something to help but don't know how, or worry about treading a lonely path.
"Let's give them a chance to act before we all weigh in."
He added: "I'm confident players will respond in the right way."
The Match of the Day host went on to argue that the players are likely waiting for guidance over the issue, revealing he did not think much of the PFA's response.
He said: "I doubt they’re delaying.
"Probably just working out what to do for the best. They’re not politicians, they’re very young men who need guidance.
"Reserve judgement until we know."
Lineker added: "PFA rarely give great guidance or leadership from my experience.
"I think the response will come from players themselves."
Yet, with staff at some Premier League clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, being furloughed under a job retention scheme that will see the government pay 80 per cent of their wages for the foreseeable future, Knight doubled down on his criticism in reply to Lineker's tweet.
He said: "I am sure most Premier League players want to see a solution and genuinely have interests of non-playing staff at heart, but discussions have come to nowt and the taxpayer is being asked to support the economics of the madhouse that is the Premier League - just plain wrong!"
