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Full Disclosure with James O'Brien

Gary Lineker | Live Q&A: Politics, World Cups and the Changing Game

3/2/202616 min

Gary Lineker took questions from the live Full Disclosure audience and nothing was off the table. He discusses the scrutiny that follows every World Cup, including the tournament in the United States, and considers whether sports broadcasters should speak out more in politically volatile times.

He also reflects on his own social media controversies, football’s growing tribalism, and whether today’s game might have suited him better than the heavy pitches and harder tackles of his playing days.

Candid, thoughtful and often wry, this is the unfiltered extra from a memorable live show.

Clips

White House Reaches Out
Tribalism’s Ugly Side
Speak Out, Mirror Test
No Cards, Big Tweets
Brexit ‘Great’ For Me
Pitches, Penalties & Ease

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Gary Lineker· Guest0:00

    [upbeat jingle] This is a Global Player original podcast.

  2. James O'Brien· Host0:09

    [upbeat music] We should move on to questions that have been submitted by members of the audience now.

  3. Gary Lineker· Guest0:15

    Ooh, yes, please.

  4. James O'Brien· Host0:15

    And, um- [laughs] And we'll, we'll begin with one that, that, that fits quite nicely- Salt and vinegar ... with that. [laughs] [laughs] What you were just talking about. Um, this is for Gary. Given the current situation over the pond, do you think there's more controversy going into this year's World Cup in America than there was in Qatar in 2022?

  5. Gary Lineker· Guest0:36

    Mm.

  6. James O'Brien· Host0:36

    And do you think, and this is a particularly pertinent question to ask you of all people, but should sports journalists and broadcasters be more outspoken now?

  7. Gary Lineker· Guest0:45

    Well, I think, I think, um, a lot of journalists will be, I guess, and have been and are.

  8. James O'Brien· Host0:50

    Mm.

  9. Gary Lineker· Guest0:50

    Um, [sighs] we live in crazy, crazy times, don't we? The world's world order is shifting, um, q- quickly, and obviously we're not quite sure what's gonna happen with the World Cup. I've gotta be slightly careful here. I want them to let me in.

  10. James O'Brien· Host1:05

    [laughs] No, of course. Well- [laughs] ... that's the next question. [laughs] That's, that's the next question. How likely do you think it is you'll be granted an ESTA?

  11. Gary Lineker· Guest1:14

    [laughs] [clapping] Well, it's- But you actually do.

  12. James O'Brien· Host1:17

    I mean, it's, it's only 52% funny, 48% serious.

  13. Gary Lineker· Guest1:20

    Well. [laughs] [laughs] And whatever goes wrong with that? [laughs] Um, yeah, it's not an ESTA either.

  14. James O'Brien· Host1:27

    No.

  15. Gary Lineker· Guest1:27

    It's an O-1 I need.

  16. James O'Brien· Host1:28

    Oh, is it? Is it?

  17. Gary Lineker· Guest1:28

    So, yeah, I've, we're

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