Mark Chapman, the BBC presenter who replaced Gary Lineker on Match of the Day, jokingly mocked his predecessor during the broadcaster's coverage of England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday.
Lineker, who had been the face of the BBC's football coverage for 25 years, left the role in May 2025 after facing intense criticism over a social media post. Chapman, alongside Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, has taken over hosting duties on MOTD.
Chapman's 'Gary Who?' Remark
During the pre-match discussion at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the panel analysed Jude Bellingham's performance. After a graphic showed Bellingham's six goals in the tournament, Chapman commented: "You talk about the goals he is scoring are striker-esque. This is how close to goal he is scoring those goals. Less than 10 metres. You look at some of those goalscorers on that list, they were out-and-out goalscorers, some of them are out-and-out poachers and he's in their company."
Micah Richards, who still works with Lineker on the podcast 'The Rest Is Football' – currently being broadcast on Netflix during the World Cup – interjected: "One thing I don't like on that list, another graphic that's got Gary Lineker on there! (Laughs). He's just text me now but he's dropping down the table, thank God for that!"
Chapman responded with a straight face: "Gary who? Joke! Joke! Before everybody piles on. Joke, goodness me!" His quip drew laughter from Richards, Wayne Rooney, and Joe Hart on the panel.
Lineker's Departure from BBC
Lineker, the former England striker and World Cup Golden Boot winner, had been a mainstay of BBC football coverage since 1999. His departure in May 2025 followed a controversy over a social media post that drew widespread criticism. The BBC subsequently appointed a rotating team of presenters for Match of the Day, including Chapman, Cates, and Logan.
The incident adds a light-hearted moment to the high-stakes semi-final, with England seeking a place in the World Cup final against Argentina.
