• World Cup

FIFA makes me feel sick, says Lineker

ESPN staff
August 4, 2014
Gary Lineker was part of England's 2018 World Cup bid © Getty Images
Enlarge

Former England captain Gary Lineker says the way he feels about FIFA makes him feel sick and claims Sepp Blatter has run the world game's governing body like a dictatorship.

The BBC presenter wants the culture to change and has spoken out over the "ludicrous" decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar after trying to help English land the 2018 tournament.

"It makes you feel sick, actually, the whole FIFA thing. The [alleged] corruption at the top level is nauseating," Lineker told GQ Magazine. "Sepp Blatter has run it like a dictatorship for so long and he comes out with so much nonsense.

"It is such a shame because it is a massive sport and means so much to so many people." Lineker went on to suggest that England's bid to stage the 2018 World Cup finals, which was eventually awarded to Russia, was flawed long before the final votes were cast.

"I was with David Beckham having a burger the night before the Qatar decision," he continued. "We were out trying to get support; Prince William and David Cameron were out there, too, and I said to Becks: 'We are the only country doing this. The whole thing smells; it is a done deal.

"[England] are too straight and I am not saying that as a criticism. We should stand up for what is right and if that means never hosting the World Cup again, fine.

"The only way it might change is for the clean countries to turn around and say, 'You know what, we are not taking part in your tournaments.' But I can't see it happening. There is too much at stake."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
ESPN staff Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices