Lineker has since deleted the tweet
Gary Lineker has been criticised for a tweet he published just moments after England won the Euro 2022 Final on Sunday.
The Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 in extra-time after goals from Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly wrote their names into England history as they won their first-ever major honour and ended 56 years of hurt.
Update: Gary Lineker responds to ‘sexist’ Lionesses ‘bra’ tweet after backlash
Still not over this 🔥🔥🔥
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 31, 2022
Time to celebrate… 🎉🎊
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 31, 2022
Sarina Wiegman’s side also played in front of a crowd of 87,192 – the most at any UEFA championship match, men or women.
Lineker criticised for tone deaf tweet
After the game many high-profile figures congratulated the squad on their historical achievement, including the Queen. Lineker was one of those, but his comments were criticised.
The Match of the Day pundit has since deleted the tweet, which read: “The Lionesses have only gone and done it and Kelly is England’s heroine, bra none.”
Pundits, journalists and fans have since reacted to the now-deleted tweet, with freelance journalist Flo Lloyd-Hughes replying: “Ew. From a man that has had so much power and influence and never used it to support women’s football. Yikes!”
Another person tweeted: “Seriously Gary….. biggest moment in women’s football and you choose to make a joke about her sports bra, give your head a wobble.”
Seriously Gary….. biggest moment in women's football and you choose to make a joke about her sports bra, give your head a wobble
— Ian Dallas (@idallas) July 31, 2022
A third added: “Seriously Gary? An epic win, a game-changer for women’s sport, a call to arms for young girls who have been told they can’t. And you minimise this glory down to a joke about a women’s clothing/underwear.
“Casual sexism is rife here and the @Lionesses deserve better!”
Seriously Gary? An epic win, a game-changer for women's sport, a call to arms for young girls who have been told they can't. And you minimise this glory down to a joke about a women's clothing/underwear. Casual sexism is rife here and the @Lionesses deserve better!
— Ruth (@Yuki_gal_London) July 31, 2022
On Monday afternoon (August 1) the squad will celebrate their famous victory with a party at Trafalgar Square, which will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 12.40pm.
Related links:
- England stars gatecrash Sarina Wiegman press conference singing ‘it’s coming home’
- Alex Scott and Ian Wright call out those ‘not brave enough’ to back women’s football
- Calls for a Bank Holiday following Lionesses EUROS win
