Gary Lineker, donned in a tee from his own Next line, couldn’t resist poking fun at the less than effervescent Steve Clarke, Scotland’s manager, while broadcasting on the BBC, an incident that sparked GB News to ignite talk of a “third SCANDAL”. What offence did Lineker commit this time? He cracked a joke about the BBC studio’s view being obscured by the massive screen at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, wittily adding, “Frank, who really wants to see the back of your head?” in a reference to Lampard.
The Daily Mail branded this ribbing as a “merciless”, “unprovoked attack” on Lampard’s hair situation, while GB News sourced a body language professional to deconstruct Lampard’s reaction. According to the expert, Lampard displayed a mix of shock and rage, with a blink rate three times the usual and his eyebrows closing together indicative of surprise.
Lineker, while discussing the incident in his podcast, clarified that his intention was to say no fan would want a rear view of any of the BBC panel’s heads. However, he admits the joke might have been misunderstood and even declared he would extend an apology to Lampard, stating that even the Tower of London would be too lenient punishment for his faux pas.
Ossie Ardiles, on a different note, could not hide his disappointment on Wednesday’s 8.0pm match, unlikely to be his top pick for the tournament. Expressing his exasperation on Twitter, he wrote, “What an atrocious game Scotland vs Switzerland turned out to be”, ending his rant by questioning Pele’s famous quote about football being a beautiful game, and calling the comments on TV even more embarrassing. Despite receiving some backlash, and answering unrelated questions about his managerial tenure in England, Ardiles later tweeted an apology, assuring his followers that he hadn’t intended to berate Scotland.
He ended the tweet unsure of who Bellingham was.
It’s undeniably apparent that Jude Bellingham carries a promise of brilliant talent, and while it sparks a thrill amongst many, a certain journalist might have over-exaggerated the extent of interest the world beyond England holds for this young man. This was highlighted when German player Niclas Füllkrug was questioned about Bellingham straight after Germany’s 2-0 triumph over Hungary last Wednesday.
Journalist: “What are your thoughts on Jude Bellingham’s performance?”
Füllkrug: “It didn’t really catch my interest.”
Stand-out remark of the day:
“Prepare for your pizza to take a dip in the fryer, your pizza is on its way to the deep fryer.” – This severely threatening satirical chant was belted out by a group of cheery Scottish supporters in Cologne upon sighting an Italian.
Statistic of the day: 114
That’s the number of Euro 2024 participants who earn a living playing football in England. They constitute 18% of the overall players in the tournament, closely followed by Italy, who account for 17%.
Noteworthy Comment
“In our Giorgio Armani attire, we are world-recognized. Thus, we carry the same air, remaining faithful to our identity and styles of play. We must strive to maintain our gameplay whilst clothed in our best, although we do not fear soiling our elegant suits if the situation calls for it.” – The quintessentially Italian manager, Luciano Spalletti, provides a uniquely eccentric preview on his country’s match against Spain.
“He’s just a less glamorous Roy Keane.” – Declan Rice gets a backhanded compliment from Kevin Doyle.
“I wouldn’t be against England seizing victory, but I reside in England, and its inhabitants can be rather overwhelming most of the time. If they were to win, I’d be forced to relocate to Shetland to escape the ensuing overbearing atmosphere.” – Gordon Strachan troubled over the looming possibility of a triumphant return to England.