Reader TTS

GARY LINEKER WAS SUPPOSED TO INTERVIEW MOHAMED SALAH IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO HIS FINAL APPEARANCE AS MATCH OF THE DAY HOST, BUT THE CHAT WAS CANCELLED BY BBC BOSSES 22:27, 01 Jun

2025Updated 09:24, 02 Jun 2025 Gary Lineker’s bitter feud with the BBC deepened in his last days as the broadcaster blocked his planned final interview with Mohamed Salah. In the lead-up to

his last stint as Match of the Day host, Lineker had planned to interview the Liverpool star, but BBC chiefs pulled the interview and failed to reschedule, fearing the talk might veer

towards Gaza. Lineker was the face of BBC football, hosting Match of the Day since 1999, and fronting the channel’s World Cup, FA Cup and Sports Personality of the Year coverage. Controversy

trailed him in his final stretch at the broadcaster, leading to a brief suspension in March 2023 over government critiques. Initially he had planned to finishing hosting MOTD but remain

with the BBC until 2026, but a reposted Instagram sparked an early exit. According to The Sun, inside sources claim Lineker's sit-down with Salah was scrapped by Alex Kay-Jelski, the

BBC's director of sport, for fears the pair would say something controversial about Gaza. Article continues below The insider revealed: "The plan was for the interview to be shown

across the BBC the weekend of Gary's final Match Of The Day. "That would include on Football Focus the day before as well as online and on social media. Out of nowhere, it got

cancelled. Some people think they didn't want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza. "Salah has spoken out in his support for Palestinians living in Gaza and Gary has made his feelings

clear too. It felt like it may have come up naturally in conversation. "It seems they axed it rather than risk possible editorial issues. They'd only just overcome one storm so to

face another would have been a nightmare." The BBC denied these allegations, stating: "The interview was cancelled because it was planned to air after Gary's last Match of the

Day. It would be wrong to suggest anything else." However, an insider disclosed: "A cross-platform interview with the [Premier League] champions' star player could have aired

anytime. Salah wanted to speak to Gary so to axe it entirely seems short-sighted." In his final Match of the Day, aired on May 25, Lineker was moved to tears after a heartfelt tribute

led by Alan Shearer and Micah Richards in the studio. An emotional video montage was played, starting from his illustrious playing career from Leicester to Barcelona. Post-retirement, it

traced his journey as a presenter, stepping into the formidable shoes of legendary host Des Lynam. Article continues below Several colleagues including Richards, Shearer, Alan Hansen and

Mark Lawrenson all lauded Lineker both as a friend, a player and a presenter. His sons also appeared, praising his prowess as a dad as well as a broadcaster. _FOR THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS

AND STORIES FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE FROM THE DAILY STAR, SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER BY CLICKING __HERE__._