Lineker apologises after making ‘bad taste’ joke on Twitter

Gary Lineker: Set to present MOTD in his underpants

Gary Lineker has apologised after facing criticism for making a joke about security surrounding the England team in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Brussels.

The former England captain and TV presenter was responding to a Twitter post from a journalist quoting Roy Hodgson saying people were working “very hard” to ensure England’s safety.

The quote from Hodgson read: “We have people around us who work very hard to make sure we are secure.”

Lineker wrote: “I think we all worry about our defence.”

The Match of the Day host’s remark was described by Twitter user @hellsbells06 as “very bad taste” while @anuragnd added “absolutely not called for mate”.

A further tweet from @dk1504 read: “That’s pretty crass Gary” and @paulsputnik branded it “inappropriate”.

The attacks in Brussels earlier this week claimed the lives of 31 people.

A minute’s silence in memory of those who died was held prior to a number of international football matches on Friday.

The Match of the Day host later apologised, tweeting:

 

England face Germany in a friendly in Berlin on Saturday evening before hosting Holland at Wembley on Tuesday.