'Not deliberate' - Gary Lineker apologises for mocking Chelsea and West Ham legend at Euro 2024
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The Chelsea legend was part of the BBC punditry crew for Euro 2024 on Wednesday.
Gary Lineker has explained the misinterpretation behind a viral video clip of himself appearing to land a dig at Chelsea legend Frank Lampard while covering Euro 2024 in Germany.
The former West Ham and Blues man featured alongside England legend Alex Scott and Brentford boss Thomas Frank to provide punditry for Germany's second fixture of the tournament against Hungary on Wednesday.
The hosts cruised to a 2-0 victory to make it two wins from two and secure their place at the top of Group A with just one match to play. Scotland and Switzerland are the other two nations in that pool.
While talking through the Germany victory and goals from Jamal Musiala and Ilkay Gundogan, the TV crew panned to a shot of balmy German supporters celebrating the goals in a fan park near Brandenburg Gate, where the BBC are presenting their coverage from.
BBC host Lineker tried to make a joke about the supporters in the fan park being able to see the back of the presenters' heads, but accidentally ended up directing it just at former Everton manager Lampard. The 46-year-old appeared to chuckle at first before looking crestfallen as social media couldn't help but giggle at the moment.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker has now explained: "I got myself in a bit of a pickle anyway with Frank Lampard. We were at the end of the game, they showed one of Germany's goals then cut to the celebrations of fans in the fan park. I said that was behind us and we could see them if it wasn't for the big screen - but they've got to watch the game and otherwise, they'd all be looking at the back of our heads.
"I meant it about all of us. I just said, 'We don't really want anyone looking at the back of our heads', or... 'You don't want anyone looking at the back of your head, do you Frank?'
"Obviously Frank is slightly thinning, and I am in my old age. It came out a bit wrong. Frank does that thing when he smiles and then suddenly doesn't smile... he's great fun and won't mind but I must admit, when I got back to the hotel and saw it on social media I went, oh you f***ing idiot. I will apologise tomorrow! It wasn't deliberate."