It’s interesting to note that Gary Lineker did not interview England manager Gareth Southgate ahead of the final, despite hosting a podcast during the tournament. Lineker’s comments about England’s performance, referring to it as “s***”, did not go down well with many within the Three Lions camp, who saw it as a jibe. No request was logged by the BBC for a chat between Southgate and Lineker, and some at the BBC are frustrated that Lineker’s comments on a non-BBC channel have caused difficulties.
Lineker’s criticism and its impact
- Lineker had been critical of England’s performance earlier in the tournament.
- His comments on a non-BBC channel caused frustration among some BBC staff.
- No request was logged for Lineker to interview Southgate before the final.
No request was logged for Gary Lineker to interview Gareth Southgate.
New Jersey Governor assures World Cup safety
Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, assured that the 2026 World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will be safe. This comes after the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. Murphy expressed confidence in the safety of New York City and the entire tournament.
The governor of New Jersey addresses safety concerns for the 2026 World Cup.
Ian Poulter’s golf clinic for England players
Golfer Ian Poulter visited England’s base to give a golf clinic. Harry Kane impressed, while others struggled. Jude Bellingham enthusiastically knocked over a pyramid of balls.
Uefa’s life-saving training and social media success
Uefa provided life-saving training to squads at the Euros and dedicated CPR booths in fan zones. About 35,000 people received the training. Uefa also gained 14 million followers and 2.8 billion video views on social media.
Cheerleading journalists and security concerns
Some journalists have been criticized for cheerleading in press boxes instead of maintaining professionalism. UEFA was displeased with a reporter who wrapped himself in a St George’s Cross flag after England’s semi-final win. Additionally, England fans were puzzled by the lack of intervention when a group of West Ham fans lit a joint during the quarter-final match against Switzerland.
England fans were puzzled by the lack of intervention during the joint-smoking incident.
EFL’s request for a documentary series
The EFL has invited proposals for a documentary series for the 2025-26 or 2026-27 seasons. The aim is to showcase the drama and jeopardy of the competitions, rather than focus on a single club.
