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Gary Lineker calls on Wales fans to support England at Euro 2020

05 Jul 2021 3 minute read
Gary Lineker. By Fixers

Gary Lineker has called on Wales fans to support England at Euro 2020.

The presenter and former professional footballer was responding to an article by England fan and author Laura Kemp, who has lived in Wales for 20 years and is married to a Welshman.

He praised it as “exceptional” and argued that it contained some “valid arguments”.

In her opinion piece Kemp argued that the current England team, which recently beat Ukraine 4-0 in the quarter final, is “challenging the establishment just like those in Wales who are sick of the privilege of the Etonian elite”.

She also hit out at Boris Johnson’s government for treating Wales like an “afterthought”, which she said has “endured centuries of oppression at the hands of England”.

The author criticised the “English media which bangs on about the Three Lions’ destiny”, and argued that the “intensity of the build-up to Wednesday’s semi-final against Denmark will be sickening”.

Gary Lineker shared the piece on Twitter, and said: “How about it Wales fans? Some valid arguments in this exceptional piece by @Laurajanekemp.”

The suggestion was not met with an overwhelmingly positive response from Wales fans.

‘Jerry-bashing’ 

In an article on WalesOnline, Kemp said: “Yet look at Gareth Southgate’s squad. Any Jerry-bashing didn’t just fall flat, it meant nothing.

“And there’s not a conceited ego among them who behaves as if reaching the final is God given. Because these footballers are everything that’s right about an emerging sense of what it is to be English.

“They aren’t just professional and playing with pride and passion – remind you of any other team close to your hearts? They’re also the role models they’re often accused of failing to be.

“In fact, they go much further – they are challenging the establishment just like those in Wales who are sick of the privilege of the Etonian elite.

“Even when Conservative critics have accused them of ‘tokenism’, the team has stuck to its guns to Take The Knee to protest against not just racism but beat the drum for equality for all, whether that’s gender, disability or sexuality.

“Amongst the social justice stars are Raheem Sterling who was given an MBE for his anti-racism campaign, Marcus Rashford who forced a u-turn of free school meals during the pandemic and Harry Kane who wore a rainbow captain’s armband to support the LGBT+ community to highlight Pride month.”


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Quornby
Quornby
3 years ago

What is all this nonsense? The Danish media don’t drive me nuts in my own country…. I’ll support them.

David Harking
David Harking
3 years ago

Wales was never given a choice regarding the union, it was just annexed to England. For some reason we are expected to support England as if we are one and the same. No one should ever be told who it is they ‘should’ support, and no one should be made to feel as though they are hateful if they choose to not support a certain country.

Penderyn
Penderyn
3 years ago
Reply to  David Harking

Wales is not on the UK flag either as it was considered an “English province” until the 1960s. Crazy innit

Penderyn
Penderyn
3 years ago

Raheem Sterling who was given an MBE for his anti-racism campaign”

The irony of a black man fighting against racism while receiving a medal representing an empire and monarchy made wealthy and built from incredible racism and slavery is deliciously ironic

hdavies15
hdavies15
3 years ago

If I elect to support England in any football match it won’t be because a wet tw*t like Lineker is calling for my support. Much like me voting for Brexit despite a severe dislike for Farage and many of the other rogues who self selected to “lead” that campaign.

Chris
Chris
3 years ago

Valid points all (probably). The stuff about Marcus Rashford and the taking the knee rings true. They seem like a nice enough bunch.
I’ll wish them well as a neutral (not as a countryman).
But I am hoping for a Denmark victory, for the same reasons the world hoped for a Denmark victory over us. And a little because of how a noisy minority of the English fans treated that little German girl.

Alan Reilly
Alan Reilly
3 years ago

Bwahahahahahahaha

Sorry…

Bwahahahahahahaha

Excuse me, I really shouldn’t laugh…

Bwahahahahahahaha

arthur owen
3 years ago

Sorry Gary but you are our greatest rivals,this does not mean that we are seen as rivals by you,in your footballing world we are seen as pretty unimportant,it would be the same if we were the independent republic most posters here seem to want(including me perhaps).There is no sensible reason for this its just that little guys like to see big ones brought down.If I have to I will find some what different reasons for not supporting your rugby team,and only support the Lions to shut up the English and Irish fans who would blame us if they lose.I think… Read more »

George
George
3 years ago

What does this England team mean to England? They are challenging the anti-devolution, (uglier side of) English nationalism movement which now makes up the UK government. What does this England team mean in Wales? Well, challenging such a movement would be a positive thing overall but let’s hold our horses… It’s still the same English FA which pushed an Olympics football team despite the risks this puts other home nations under and still the same English FA who dropped out of the Victory Shield youth football cup to progress English football. They’re not friends to Welsh football even if they’re… Read more »

Suns ine De se ts
Suns ine De se ts
3 years ago

Clap for England you peasants! for the crisp peddler hath spoken.

Eilian Williams
Eilian Williams
3 years ago

F*** off Lineker snd choke on your crisps

Bruce
Bruce
3 years ago

I think that’s unfair, Lineker is a decent enough person and I think the England football team seem decent enough as well – Rashford, Raheem Sterling, taking the knee (and taking a stand against Priti Patel in the process). It’s just a pity about the jingoism, racism and xenophobia of many of their fans (still won’t be supporting England though).

Jack
Jack
3 years ago

I’m an England fan living in Wales and would like to clarify this is definitely not the view of all English fans.

Welsh people should support whoever they like, including whoever England are playing. We really don’t care.

j humphrys
j humphrys
3 years ago

We should be friendly, yet indifferent.

Chris
Chris
3 years ago
Reply to  j humphrys

I like that. Yes. Friendly but indifferent

Eifion
Eifion
3 years ago

Jeez guys, enough with the soccer stories, please

Wynford Jones
Wynford Jones
3 years ago
Reply to  Eifion

“soccer” – da ni’n gwybod pa gêm rwyt ti’n ei ddilyn 🙂

Wrexhamian
Wrexhamian
3 years ago

Has he asked football fans from any other countries to support England in this competition? No? Why us, then?

Dafydd Evans
Dafydd Evans
3 years ago

Whilst I count a number of English people as very good friends there is no way I can bring myself to support England the country – hundreds of years of history, starting with invasion and subjugation and now indifference, ignorance, contempt …. and Boris Johnson….absolutely no way I can bring myself to support them, no way at all!

Chris
Chris
3 years ago

Why don’t u ask Scotland to do the same 🖕we can all join in and pretend we like u sounds great fun 🤣 I’d rather support wuan fc (if there is such a team )

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