November 13th 2024.
It seems that the football world is abuzz with rumors and speculation about who will replace Gary Lineker as the next host of Match of the Day. According to reports, Alex Scott, former Arsenal and England player, is the new favorite for the coveted role. This announcement has caused some disappointment for Joey Barton, who has been vocal about his views on women in the sport.
Lineker, who has been the face of the BBC's flagship football show for many years, will be stepping down at the end of the season. However, he will continue to present coverage of the FA Cup and the World Cup in 2025/26 and 2026 respectively. Among the names being mentioned as potential replacements for Lineker are Mark Chapman, the regular host of Match of the Day 2, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott, who has been making waves in the broadcasting world since her retirement from playing in 2017.
Scott's impressive resume includes presenting The One Show and working alongside Lineker on the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year program. She was also a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 and has recently been hosting Football Focus. However, despite her accomplishments, Scott has faced significant abuse from Joey Barton over the past year.
Gabby Logan, another name in the mix for the Match of the Day hosting role, has also been the target of Barton's criticism. Last December, Barton made controversial comments suggesting that women have no place in the men's game and should not be given positions of authority. He specifically targeted Scott, who he believes has not played at the same level as men and therefore cannot have a proper understanding of the sport.
This narrow-minded view from Barton has not gone unnoticed, and many are hoping that the BBC will make a progressive decision in choosing the next host of Match of the Day. Mark Chapman even joked that he could use a personal assistant amidst all the rumors and speculation. It's clear that Barton's comments have not affected Scott's chances, as she is now among the leading candidates for the role.
As for Lineker, he has been part of our screens for many years and has become a household name in the world of sports broadcasting. However, it seems that he is ready to step down from his role as presenter of Sports Personality of the Year, according to a BBC spokesperson. Last year's awards ceremony, which he co-hosted with Scott, Logan, and Clare Balding, was his final show. The BBC has confirmed that Lineker has decided to leave the show after 23 years of hosting.
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