Former Southampton striker Matt Le Tissier has launched a scathing attack on Gary Lineker, claiming the Match of the Day host is “hiding skeletons in his closet”.
The controversial ex-Sky Sports pundit made the remarks during a recent appearance on the ‘Disruptors’ podcast.
Le Tissier, 56, told host Rob Moore that certain revelations about Lineker would likely only emerge “after Gary passes away”.
When pressed on what these “skeletons” might be, Le Tissier insisted that Lineker is “not the angel that he likes to portray himself to be”.
The comments mark the latest chapter in Le Tissier’s ongoing criticism of the BBC presenter.
During the podcast, Le Tissier specifically referenced Joey Barton’s previous confrontation with Lineker.
“Have a look at Joey Barton’s feed where he has a go at Gary Lineker and challenges Gary to come back and have a go at him,” Le Tissier told Moore.
He added: “And Gary won’t have a go at him because Gary knows he’s not as pure as driven snow”.
JUST IN: Red Bull face staggering losses from Max Verstappen ban ahead of Chinese Grand Prix
@robmooredisruptive #fyp #mattletissier #garylineker #foryour #footballtiktok #footballs #robmoore #bbc #matchoftheday #southampton #footballer ♬ original sound – Rob Moore Disruptors Clips
Le Tissier’s allegations stopped short of specifying exactly what these supposed “skeletons” might be.
The clash the ex-striker referenced dates back to 2012, when Barton took aim at both Lineker and Alan Shearer following their criticism of his football performances.
After being sent off while playing for QPR against Manchester City, Barton launched into a Twitter rant, calling Shearer a “p***k” and Lineker “an odious toad”.
Barton made a cryptic threat to Lineker, suggesting he would expose a “vast closet of skeletons”.
When Lineker messaged Barton questioning if he was “still misunderstood”, Barton responded: “Do u wanna go there publicly ‘Mr Squeaky Clean’?”
Lineker did not reply to the challenge.
Le Tissier has previously criticised Lineker after the presenter temporarily stepped away from Match of the Day in 2023.
This followed Lineker’s tweet comparing language used in the Government’s migration policy to 1930s Germany, which breached BBC impartiality rules.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Thomas Tuchel involved in awkward phone call with England star ahead of Albania World Cup qualifying clashTravis Kelce makes feelings clear on weddings after Taylor Swift engagement rumours swirled before Super BowlLee Carsley sets record straight on refusing to sing England national anthem – ‘I stand by it’
When Lineker later tweeted about returning to MOTD, calling the story “ridiculously out of proportion”, Le Tissier was quick to respond.
“This didn’t age well btw Gary should be entitled to his opinion unless his contract with the bbc says otherwise,” Le Tissier wrote.
The former Southampton striker has made no secret of his disdain for Lineker’s public statements.
Le Tissier’s criticism of Lineker extended to an appearance on GB News, where he accused the presenter of “virtue signalling”.
“I can tell you Gary Lineker is no saint, not in any way, shape or form,” Le Tissier stated on the programme.
He continued: “We’ve all made mistakes in our lives but we don’t all virtue signal to the extent that Mr Lineker does.”
Le Tissier went further, claiming: “There are quite a few skeletons in Gary’s closet down the years.”
He also alleged that Lineker has “friends in very high places who have protected him, there’s no two ways about that.”