After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming. 1/4
I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday. 2/4
A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you. 3/4
We remain a country of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous people. Thank you. ❤️ 4/4
@GaryLineker Call me old-fashioned, Gary, but if I was 'fleeing my home from war or persecution'. I would seek asylum/ refuge in the nearest safe country. I wouldn't travel through and bypass numerous safe countries in the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
@GaryLineker Maybe go and visit the Rohingya refugee camp. The worlds largest refugee camp. Been twice in last year. They are fleeing directly from persecution in Myanmar. Majority women and children. Certainly not travelling through multiple safe European countries.
@GaryLineker gary lineker has been cannonised now as saint gary for taking into his home 2 refugees but for how long? pity about the VETERANS SLEEPING ROUGH ON OUR STREETS he cares more about foreiners than men who fought for his country refugees get £40 pocket money. hard up families get 0.
@GaryLineker Great message. Thanks for not backing down and for showing this real solidarity ✊🏽
@GaryLineker I had no idea France was such a terrible place, full of persecution and war causing tens of thousands to flee.
@GaryLineker Have you no conception of what the difference is between a genuine refugee in need of our help & an illegal is ? We meet them all the time - 1 is grateful & ready to become part of Britain the other is self entitled & resentful We know them, you don't🙄 x.com/littleboats202…
@GaryLineker Have you no conception of what the difference is between a genuine refugee in need of our help & an illegal is ? We meet them all the time - 1 is grateful & ready to become part of Britain the other is self entitled & resentful We know them, you don't🙄 x.com/littleboats202…
@GaryLineker Male Albanians fleeing France… What are they fleeing? Where are the women and children?
@GaryLineker Not all heroes wear capes. Thank you. You’ve inspired and reassured so many of us.
100%. But, if you are indeed fleeing that situation... would you not simply be happy to land in ANY country that is safe? Why travel through literally dozens of safe countries to reach the UK? If they get passed to us to take our quota that's fair enough. But last time I checked, France was very safe too.