MOTD host Gary Lineker blasted by Joey Barton over Champions League put up
Controversial ex footballer Joey Barton has laid into Gary Lineker for being a “virtue signalling t***” after he criticised Borussia Dortmund’s latest sponsorship deal with an arms company.
Barton took umbrage with the fact that Lineker was outspoken against the German club after they announced a three-year sponsorship agreement with weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall, ahead of the Champions League final at Wembley tonight (June 1).
The former Barcelona striker had written on X (formerly Twitter), saying: “First time I’ll be cheering for Real Madrid in a Champions League final”.
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He was referencing his former club’s rivalry with Champions League specialists Real Madrid, and the fact he was against the sponsorship.
(Image: PA)
Barton saw this as virtue signalling and blasted: “Yet, you still took Qatari money for the World Cup. Did you work Russia one as well? And I bet if Saudi get the next one, your trotters will be all over that as well. You big virtue signalling t***.”
The ex Man City midfielder, known for his overly aggressive personality and long rap sheet, then labelled Lineker “crisp n***e” twice.
He reacted to a Guardian article that Lineker shared about a tough grilling Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag got after his team beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final last week.
“Did you ask Guardiola about the pending 115 charges? I must have missed it if you did. #CrispN***e” he wrote, referencing Premier League charges for alleged financial irregularity against the Saudi-backed club.
(Image: Borussia Dortmund via Getty Images)
After Lineker shared his dismay at Dortmund’s sponsorship deal, Barton railed: “Crisp N***e at it again! #Virtuesignallingt**t.”
Many people were quick to remind Barton a high court judge recently ruled that it was defamatory when he called TV presenter Jeremy Vine a “bike n***e”.
Minutes later he was off for a walk to “clear the head”.
He wrote: “Lovely day for a good walk. Always clears the head. Stay safe.”
