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Fundamental Crimes Against Lewis Hamilton & Gary Lineker spark off Debate Quintessential for the Growth of F1 & Soccer: “Complicity with those in charge…”

Published 03/14/2023, 10:15 AM EDT

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The controversy around the 2021 F1 season finale has refused to die down. To this day, fans recall the infamous night in Abu Dhabi where Lewis Hamilton controversially missed out on a record-breaking 8th world championship. Following the incident, even FIA in its report admitted what had happened was the result of a “human error”. Despite that, they refused to overturn the decision and maintained the status quo on Max Verstappen winning his maiden championship. Fans once again recalled the incident as the debate around Gary Lineker rages on.

Lineker, a former English soccer player and currently a BBC presenter, criticized the UK government over its policy on illegal immigration. That was enough for BBC, the state-controlled broadcaster, to suspend Lineker from his duties as the presenter of the popular show, Match of The Day. The move invited criticism from all quarters, including personalities from other sports and countries. A famous American boxing promoter had some harsh words for the UK government as well after Gary’s suspension.

Fans slam former F1 champ, reminding him of the 2021 Lewis Hamilton saga amidst Lineker controversy

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Many view Lineker’s suspension as an attempt to stop him from expressing his political views in public. The other side cites a part of his contract with the BBC that possibly restricts him from expressing such opinions on social media. This has started an online debate over whether sports experts should not express their political opinions outside their professional environment.

Damon Hill, giving his two cents on the issue, feels Gary should be viewed as two persons- one as a soccer expert, and the second as a Twitter personality. However, while expressing his opinion, Hill cleared that he did not agree with Lineker on certain issues. That is what prompted fans to remind him of the Hamilton-Verstappen saga and question his views.

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One fan pointed out that it was a duty for people with a large audience to speak up against fascism, a duty they felt Lineker fulfilled.

Watch This Story: Mercedes React to FIA’s admission of “Human Error” in the Verstappen-Hamilton Scandal

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Do you think Gary was out of line for expressing his opinion outside of his professional sphere? Should he keep his political views to himself in case his contract with the BBC expressly tells him to?

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Written by:

Nischay Rathore

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Nischay Rathore is a Formula 1 Author at EssentiallySports. Being a law graduate, he has worked at the Supreme Court of India as well as the High Court of Delhi. However, due to his adherent love for sports, he has now set out to start his journey into the world of Sports Journalism.
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Edited by:

Akash Pandhare