Gary Lineker jokingly told Micah Richards to “f*** off” live on TV after the pair argued about referees' role in World Cup coverage. The former England duo are currently taking part in Netflix’s version of the Rest Is Football during the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Lineker's Pet Hate
In discussing Mexico’s opening win against South Africa — a game that saw three red cards — Lineker claimed that refereeing experts did not need to get involved in TV coverage. He said: “Shall I tell you my new pet hate before we move on? My new pet hate in broadcasting is, I can do it now because I’m not involved, is referees in co-commentaries. They are taking over our game. They are defining the laws. They are imposing themselves on our matches and now they are imposing themselves on commentary.”
Richards Disagrees
Former Manchester City star Richards, who was featuring via an on-set TV, replied: “I disagree with that. When they come back to the studio and you’ve got to get the terminology right and the laws. And you’ve got a referee who can deal with all of that. And take away all the s***. Take it.”
However, Lineker didn’t appear to take too kindly to Richards’ comments as he jokingly told his colleague to “Shut the f*** up, will you?” before turning off the screen that Richards was featuring on, triggering loud laughter across the studio.
Final Warning
Later in the broadcast, Richards reappeared and Lineker said: “I’ve let you back in but that’s your final warning, okay?”, to which Richards apologised. Lineker then rounded off the exchange by jokingly warning his colleague: “Don’t disagree with me. I love that power, I wish I could do it to Al [Alan Shearer].”
Apology to Lampard
Meanwhile, Lineker also felt compelled to issue an apology to former England midfielder Frank Lampard while live for a hair-themed joke he’d made two years previously. He said: "It's starting to feel like a World Cup is taking place, joining us Frank Lampard and Joe Cole alongside Alan Shearer. Good thing those fans are down on street level otherwise they'd be looking at the back of our heads, Frank..."
A laughing Lampard answered: "Have you gone there already?" Lineker went on to explain: "For those who don't know, two years ago, the last time I saw you was on your final thing, we had a camera behind us and it showed behind us. I was concerned that I'm thinning a little bit on the top. I was saying, 'we don't really want that shot do, we?' and you (Frank Lampard) were next to me. You did that thing where you were smiling and went serious. I owe you an apology. It's taken me two years to do it."
