Former Southampton striker Matt Le Tissier has taken aim at Ian Wright for what he says is “completely contradictory” support of under-fir e Gary Lineker.
The Match of the Day host is embroiled in a fierce row with BBC bosses for a tweet he posted criticising the government for their asylum policy. Lineker has been pulled from programming as a result with a number of his colleagues - including Wright - also making the decision not to appear in solidarity.
A statement from his Twitter read: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I've told the BBC I won't be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.”
However, the former Arsenal striker’s show of support hasn't impressed Le Tissier. Speaking to GB News, the Southampton icon has bizarrely claimed Wright didn't show him the same level of support when he was dropped by Sky Sports - despite the latter not being employed by the broadcaster.
He said: “It's really interesting as Ian is taking a stand for his mate and fellow TV worker. But what's really interesting about it is that if you go back three years and have a look at the reaction of Ian Wright to the sacking of myself, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas and you will see that reaction is completely contradictory to the way he acted to this.
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“So it's all very well to take this stand, but let's show a little bit of consistency Wrighty. If you're watching you know what I'm on about. He certainly didn't stand in solidarity with the three of us.
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“It was a case of old people that have had their time and it's time to move onto some younger people. It was along those lines.”
Despite Le Tissier’s comments on the situation between the BBC and Lineker, Wright’s support has not wavered. He also threatened to follow the former Leicester star out of the exit door should he lose his role on Match of the Day.
Speaking on the Wrighty’s House Podcast, he confirmed: "Let me tell you something if the BBC do get rid of Gary Lineker I am out. I am gone, I am not staying there. On his own platform, he should be able to say what he wants to say.
"Gary Lineker, he says stuff on everything and it's almost like this one has missed everybody simply because he says so much but this is so right what he is saying. I have spoken to Gary, I am behind him."
Wright is not the only punditry colleague to have offered their support to Lineker over what has been a hugely dramatic 24 hours. Alan Shearer, Alex Scott, Micah Richards and Jermaine Jenas are just a small sample of those who have chosen not to appear on any BBC programming on Saturday.
That led to the BBC making major alterations to the broadcasting schedule with Football Focus and Final Score both being pulled late on. Match of the Day meanwhile will just consist of highlights without hosts and pundits.
The Mirror has launched a petition to have Gary Lineker reinstated at the BBC and as the host of Match of the Day. Sign it here.
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