He has not even received a yellow card in his football life: Who is Gary Lineker?

In a statement made by the BBC in March 2023, it was stated on Twitter that an agreement was reached with Lineker, who was dismissed for criticizing the government's Illegal Immigration Bill by comparing it to 1930s Germany, and Lineker will continue to present the Match of the Day program. "We believe it is time to reconsider the BBC's social media use regulation and practice," the statement said.

"It's not comparable to having to run away from your home"

Lineker made a statement on his Twitter account regarding the re-negotiation after his job at the BBC, which he has been on for nearly 30 years, was terminated on 10 March (2023). Thanking his supporters, Lineker said: "After a few days of Surreal, I am happy that we have come a long way in this regard. Thank you for the incredible support given to me, especially the unmatched support of my colleagues at BBC Sport."

Lineker crisis

Criticizing the Illegal Immigration Bill announced by British Home Secretary Suella Braverman at the beginning of March 2023, as a racist practice, Lineker was dismissed on the grounds that he did not comply with the BBC's social media usage rules. The BBC, which was looking for another presenter for the Match of the Day program broadcast on weekends, received a negative response because they showed solidarity with Lineker, as they took all the backup presenters and offers. The commentators of the program, legendary football players Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, announced that they would not appear in the program in solidarity with Lineker, and the presenters and sports reporters of other sports programs at the BBC made statements of support for Lineker.

Controversial Illegal Immigration Bill

With the new bill announced by the British government on March 7 (2023) to prevent irregular migrants from entering the country by boat or boats via the English Channel, immigrants are planned to be detained as soon as they are caught. According to the bill, detained irregular migrants will be deported to their home countries or safe third countries within 28 days without judicial investigation.

Gary Winston Lineker (born 30 November 1960) is an English sports broadcaster and former professional footballer. Lineker is the only player to have been the top goalscorer in England with three clubs: Leicester City, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur. He also played for Barcelona in Spain, and won 80 caps for England. He finished his career as England's second top international goalscorer. He has presented the BBC's flagship football show, Match of the Day, since 1999.

Irregular migrants who have been deported will seek legal rights and seek asylum after they are deported. Those who enter the country illegally will not be granted the right to seek asylum.

WHO IS GARY LINEKER?

Former English national football player Gary Winston Lineker was born on 30 November 1960 in Leicester, England. He started his football career in 1976 with Leicester City, the team of his hometown. He was promoted to the first team in 1978. He was transferred to Everton in the 1985-86 season with his successful performance and scoring ability. He scored 38 goals in 52 matches with this team. He signed a contract with FC Barcelona before the start of the World Cup in 1986.

Although his outstanding performance in the World Cup raised expectations, Lineker did not come under this pressure. While he scored 21 goals in 41 games, he scored a hat-trick in the match with the club's biggest rival, Real Madrid. With Barcelona, he won the Copa del Rey in 1988 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1989. However, when coach Johan Cruyff tried to play him in the midfield, on the right wing, he lost his place in the team and decided to leave.

Although Alex Ferguson wanted to sign Manchester United with his ex-Barcelona teammate Mark Hughes, he did not accept this offer and chose Tottenham Hotspur. In the 3 seasons he played with this team, he played 105 matches, scored 67 goals, and won the FA Cup for his team. He transferred to Japan, to Nagoya Grampus Eight, before his career ended due to injury. As a result of the injury, he was able to play 23 matches and scored 9 goals.

Lineker was named England's Player of the Year in 1986. In 1991, he placed 3rd in the FIFA Player of the Year selection. Despite his long career, he became famous for his sportsmanship and did not even receive a yellow card during his football life.

He played for the first time in 1984 against Scotland. He scored 3 goals against Turkey before qualifying for the 1986 FIFA World Cup. As the top scorer in the World Cup, he became the first English player to achieve this success and also became one of the star players of the tournament. In 1990, he played a role in England's progress to the semi-finals by scoring 4 goals. After retiring from football, he works as a TV presenter and commentator for the BBC.

His famous quote: "Football is a simple game, a game where 22 people chase the ball for 90 minutes, and the Germans always win in the end."

ON WHICH TEAMS GARY LINEKER PLAYED FOOTBALL?

1978-1984 Leicester City

1985-1986 Everton

1986-1989 Barcelona

1989-1992 Tottenham Hotspur

1992-1994 Nagoya Grampus Eight

GARY LINEKER NATIONAL TEAM CAREER

1984-1992 England

WHAT POSITION DID GARY LINEKER PLAY?

Former football player Gary Lineker's position on the green fields was a striker.