Lineker backs ex-Sutton keeper Shaw in pie-eating controversy

Joe Williams

Wayne Shaw: Involved in pie-eating controversy

Goalkeeper Wayne Shaw has found an ally in Gary Lineker in the pie-eating controversy that has cost him his job at Sutton.

Shaw resigned on Tuesday after two betting probes were launched after he was shown eating a pie in the dugout during the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.

It emerged after the match that a bookmaker had offered odds on Shaw to do so, with the 46-year-old admitting he was aware of the market.

Former England striker Lineker said on Twitter: “So Wayne Shaw, who slept on a sofa 3 nights a week at Sutton to maintain and run the place loses his job over #piegate. FFS!

“Day by day football is losing its heart and its sense of humour. #piegate”.

Arsenal fan Piers Morgan, who interviewed Shaw on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday, also backed Shaw, tweeting: “I support you, Wayne Shaw. What has football come to when a loyal club servant’s sacked for a fun pie stunt? Absurd.

“This Wayne Shaw sacking just about sums up the pathetically PC-crazed world we now have to endure. Shame on you, Sutton United.”

But ex-Liverpool forward Stan Collymore disagreed.

He said on Twitter: “Starts with pie, ends up with foreign syndicate offering poorly paid players money for cards.

“There are syndicates in Asia that actively target players who earn little and bribe them. F**k all to do with sense of humour.”

Sutton manager Paul Doswell, who announced Shaw’s resignation in an interview with Sky News, revealed the move left him with a heavy heart.

“It was an honest error, but one that’s had quite sad ramifications,” he said.

“Wayne’s been swept along with what’s happened in this last three or four weeks.

“Since the camera got him in the Leeds United game (in Sutton’s 1-0 fourth-round win) he’s gone into another world in terms of what he’s used to.

“I think he’s been ill-advised at times and he’s just made a very genuine mistake. If you knew him, he’s such a lovely, lovely man.”

Meanwhile, supermarket chain Morrisons appear to have offered Shaw a new job as a pie taster following the stunt.

“We’re always looking for the best talent to taste our pies and make sure they hit the back of the net,” Morrisons’ chief pie buyer Tessa Callaghan was quoted as telling the Independent.

“Wayne’s performance last night sets him apart as one of the country’s most famous pie connoisseurs.

“We were really impressed by his commitment to pie eating, and we understand that a good pie is the best way to warm up for any occasion, even if it is the biggest night of your football career.”