The Kremlin invitation arrived with the 2018 World Cup draw approaching, but Gary Lineker found a way to stay out of the room. The former England striker said he declined FIFA work rather than meet Vladimir Putin during the event in Russia.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Lineker said he had been asked to work at the draw and was expected to meet the Russian president. He said he did not want to take part and used his preparation duties as his reason for refusing.
“I told them I had far too much to do with the script and needed to get everything ready,” Lineker said, recalling how he avoided the meeting.
Quick facts
- Gary Lineker said he avoided meeting Vladimir Putin at the 2018 World Cup draw in Russia.
- The former England forward has chosen not to be associated with FIFA for several years.
- Lineker represented England 80 times and scored 48 international goals.
- He criticised the possibility of Gianni Infantino pursuing a fourth FIFA presidency term in 2027.
- Lineker believes Infantino would face boos and hostile chants at a match in the United Kingdom.
The 65-year-old said his distance from football’s world governing body has been deliberate rather than accidental. In his view, remaining outside FIFA offers more independence than attempting to influence it from within.
“I decided a few years ago that I would not be connected to FIFA in any capacity,” he said. “It is better not to be influenced from the inside. I have intentionally kept my distance, probably since the start of this decade. That was a conscious plan.”
Lineker questions Infantino’s long stay
Lineker also reacted to Gianni Infantino’s stated intention to seek a fourth spell as FIFA president in 2027. The ex-Barcelona and Tottenham forward said it was unreasonable for one person to hold the role across so many successive terms.
He added that the FIFA chief would not receive a friendly response if he attended a game in Britain now. Lineker predicted at least a chorus of boos, along with chants that could end with an insult aimed at Infantino.
