England’s World Cup heroes torn apart by Brexit: Peter Shilton challenges Gary Lineker to a debate

The chaos over Brexit has caused a fissure between England’s 1986 World Cup squad with Remainer Gary Lineker challenged to a BBC Question Time-style debate by Leaver Peter Shilton. 

The Match of the Day host sparked the row after calling out his own footballing ‘hero’ after the retired goalkeeper praised ‘calm and calculated’ Jacob Rees-Mogg. 

Mr Lineker told him: ‘You should never see a tweet from your heroes’ and Mexico 1986 England midfield Peter Reid backed him by claiming ‘loopy’ Mr Rees-Mogg ‘doesn’t know his a**e from his elbow’.

The 58-year-old Golden Boot winner, who is now the BBC’s highest presenter, also told former teammate, Chris Waddle, to ‘stick to football’ when he said Theresa May should quit the EU with no deal.  

Suggesting a debate Mr Shilton tweeted back: ‘Squad line up lads – live debate ? @bbcquestiontime @GaryLineker @chriswaddle93 @reid6peter’ to which Mr Lineker replied: ‘For your sake, I hope it doesn’t go to penalties’ – a nod to England’s heartbreaking defeat to West Germany in the 1990 World Cup semi-final.

In yet another extraordinary twist last night Test Match Special presenter Jonathan Agnew accused Mr Lineker of breaching BBC guidelines and suggested he would be ‘sacked’ if he tweeted about Brexit like he does.

The cricketer turned broadcaster added that he voted Remain but unlike Mr Lineker had ‘accepted the result’.  

Gary Lineker called out his 'hero' Peter Shilton over Brexit last night

Gary Lineker called out his ‘hero’ Peter Shilton over Brexit last night when he praised Jacob Rees-Mogg and the ex-England captain responded with the offer of a debate

Peter Shilton with Gary Lineker during their England days after smashing Turkey 5-0 in a World Cup Qualifier at Wembley in 1985. That day Shilton celebrated breaking the goalkeeper international cap record and Lineker scored a hat-trick

Peter Shilton with Gary Lineker during their England days after smashing Turkey 5-0 in a World Cup Qualifier at Wembley in 1985. That day Shilton celebrated breaking the goalkeeper international cap record and Lineker scored a hat-trick

Lineker, who is outspoken on social media about Brexit, tweeted Shilton and also fellow England teammate Chris Waddle 

Lineker, who is outspoken on social media about Brexit, tweeted Shilton and also fellow England teammate Chris Waddle 

Mr Shilton suggested  a Question Time debate involving the former footballers in a light-hearted tweet and Mr Lineker joked about avoiding a penalty shoot-out

Mr Shilton suggested a Question Time debate involving the former footballers in a light-hearted tweet and Mr Lineker joked about avoiding a penalty shoot-out

Accusing the former footballer of breaching the corporation’s strict guidelines on publicly expressing political views he wrote: ‘@GaryLineker Gary. You are the face of BBC Sport.

Please observe BBC editorial guidelines and keep your political views, whatever they are and whatever the subject, to yourself. I’d be sacked if I followed your example. Thanks.’ 

The England 1986 World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers: Peter Shilton, Chris Woods, Gary Bailey

Defence: Gary M Stevens, Kenny Sansam, Alvin Martin, Terry Butcher, Viv Anderson, Terry Fenwick, Gary A Stevens

Midfield: Glenn Hoddle, Bryan Robson(c), Ray Wilkins, Chriss Waddle, Peter Reid, Trevor Steven, Steve Hodge

Forwards: Mark Hateley, Gary Lineker, John Barnes, Peter Beardsley, Kerry Dixon 

Lineker has rebuffed criticism of his outspoken political stance in the past by saying he is a freelancer and so does not have to abide by the BBC guidelines.

In February last year when he was told by a Twitter user that as a BBC employee he should not comment on politics he replied: ‘I’m freelance and I’ll talk sh** about whatever I like on my twitter feed, thanks.’

The BBC’s editorial guidelines state staff, presenters and even those who contribute to programmes can affect the corporation’s impartiality through their ‘external activities’, especially if there is a conflict of interest. 

It reads: ‘The external activities of staff, presenters and others who contribute to our output can also affect the BBC’s reputation for impartiality. 

‘A conflict of interest may arise when the external activities of anyone involved in making our content affects the BBC’s reputation for integrity, independence and high standards, or may be reasonably perceived to do so.

‘There is a danger of conflict of interest in every area of programme or content making.’

Shilton (pictured in 1986) and Lineker are backing different sides in the debate but have been good-natured in their responses

Gary Lineker celebrates after scoring a goal during the World Cup first round match between England and Poland in 1986

Shilton and Lineker (both pictured at Mexico 1986) are backing different sides in the debate but have been good-natured in their responses

Former England midfielder Peter Reid also replied to Peter Shilton's tweet praising Jacob Rees-Mogg by saying the Brexiteer was a 'loony' 

Former England midfielder Peter Reid (pictured in 1986) also replied to Peter Shilton's tweet praising Jacob Rees-Mogg by saying the Brexiteer was a 'loony'.

Former England midfielder Peter Reid (left in 2016 and right in 1986) also replied to Peter Shilton’s tweet praising Jacob Rees-Mogg by saying the Brexiteer was ‘loopy’

Former Tottenham winger Chris Waddle was told to 'stick to football' by his fellow Spurs legend, Gary Lineker, when he said it would be best if Theresa May left the EU with no deal

Chris Waddle on the ball in the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico

Former Tottenham winger Chris Waddle (left last year and right in 1986) was told to ‘stick to football’ by his fellow Spurs legend, Gary Lineker, when he said it would be best if Theresa May left the EU with no deal 

The BBC confirmed that as Lineker is not involved in any of the corporation’s political coverage he is free to express his opinions without it affecting his impartiality on MOTD.

A BBC spokesman told MailOnline: ‘Gary is not involved in any news or political output for the BBC and as such any expression of his personal political views does not affect the BBC’s impartiality.’ 

Michael Vaughan backtracks after saying Britain needs a Donald Trump-style leader 

Michael Vaughan has backtracked after saying Britain needs a ‘no nonsense’ leader like Donald Trump. 

The former England cricket captain tweeted his views as Theresa May faced a no confidence vote as her Brexit plans lie in ruins.

He tweeted: ‘Give me a Donald Trump style leader over any of our leaders any day of the week….’

He added: ‘No nonsense .. that’s what is required .. !!!’. 

His messages sparked thousands of responses from people saying he should stay away from politics and playfully suggesting he may have been drunk.

Yesterday he said: ‘Note to self … Don’t ever mention DT on twitter again in any way shape or form !!! Cheers’. 

Lineker later responded to his fellow Remain-voting BBC colleague, Agnew, that he was responsible for his own Twitter account. 

He tweeted: ‘Jonathan, I’m the face of my own Twitter account. I’ll continue to tweet what I like and if folk disagree with me then so be it. Thank you so much for your concern, which, I imagine, wouldn’t be a concern at all if you agreed with me.’ 

After receiving a flurry of responses from supporters of Lineker’s pro-remain stance, former England fast bowler, Agnew, back-tracked and told the football presenter to ‘keep going’.

He tweeted: ‘Ok. View is overwhelmingly keep going Gary! You can stop the aggro now… @GaryLineker.’

Last month Lineker, an outspoken Remainer, appeared at a ‘People’s Vote’ rally calling for a second referendum and has said stopping ‘frightfully boring’ Theresa May’s Brexit is more important to him than football. 

As Mrs May survived her no confidence vote last night the former Spurs and Barcelona striker poured scorn on Peter Shilton’s praise for Tory Brexiteer Rees-Mogg.  

Shilton, who played for Lineker’s beloved Leicester City, tweeted: ‘Have been so impressed with @Jacob_Rees_Mogg in the last few days. He really knows what he is talking about and puts it across in a calm and calculated manner!’  

Gary Lineker responded to him and said: ‘What’s that old saying? You should never see a tweet from your heroes?’. 

Former England midfielder Peter Reid also replied to Shilton’s tweet and said: ‘I’ll agree to disagree on that one Goalie. He’s (JRM) loopy, doesn’t know his a**e from his elbow’. 

Fellow 1990 World Cup hero Chris Waddle also got involved in the Brexit debate and said: ‘Well done Theresa May, now let’s leave. Brexit with no deal we will be fine’.

Friend and former teammate Lineker then replied: ‘Stick to football’, to which Waddle’s supporters replied: ‘That’s rich coming from you pal’.

Waddle later deleted his initial tweet.

Agnew told Lineker he would be sacked if he also spoke publicly about politics in the way the former England striker has done on many occasions 

Agnew told Lineker he would be sacked if he also spoke publicly about politics in the way the former England striker has done on many occasions 

Aggers joked that Lineker had found is car, which was covered in bird faeces this morning

Aggers joked that Lineker had found is car, which was covered in bird faeces this morning

Cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew accused Gary Lineker of breaching BBC guidelines with his political tweets

Cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew accused Gary Lineker of breaching BBC guidelines with his political tweets

Former England batsman Mark Butcher suggested Jonathan Agnew should have given his advice to Lineker by a more private method than Twitter 

Former England batsman Mark Butcher suggested Jonathan Agnew should have given his advice to Lineker by a more private method than Twitter 

After Jonathan ‘Aggers’ Agnew entered the debate, former England batsman Mark Butcher criticised the commentator for not making his criticism of Lineker through a private channel.

He tweeted in reply to Agnew: ‘I’m sure this is a friendly piece of advice from a colleague, Aggers? Perhaps an e mail or a DM would have done the trick?’

Another Twitter user pointed out the irony of his public post.

Former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan also waded into the Brexit discourse when he suggested Britain needed a ‘no-nonsense’ Donald Trump-style leader.

The Ashes-winning captain later back-tracked after his post attracted thousands of angry responses. 

Lineker has said that blocking Brexit is more important to him than football as he backed a campaign for a fresh referendum.

The Match Of The Day host said he was more bewildered and worried than ever after catching up on developments since returning from Russia following his coverage of the World Cup.

He also threw his support behind the People’s Vote ‘summer of action’ that involved a series of rallies and protests across the country.

He said: ‘I find the whole thing more bewildering and worrying than ever.

‘Whether you voted Leave or Remain, did anyone really vote for the mess we seem to be in, let alone the prospect of no deal with all the terrible consequences attached to that? 

Peter Shilton with ex-England team-mate Gary Lineker (left) at the Marriot Hotel before a testimonial match for the former goalkeeper at White Hart Lane in 1990

Peter Shilton with ex-England team-mate Gary Lineker (left) at the Marriot Hotel before a testimonial match for the former goalkeeper at White Hart Lane in 1990

Lineker, an outspoken Remainer, appeared at a 'People's Vote' rally last month where he interviewed Jo Johnson (pictured)

Lineker, an outspoken Remainer, appeared at a ‘People’s Vote’ rally last month where he interviewed Jo Johnson (pictured)

‘There are some things in life that, even for someone like me, are more important than football. This is one of them. I am not a politician but I know when something is going wrong and right now Brexit feels like it is going very wrong indeed.

‘The politicians seem unable to resolve the problem the people gave them in voting to Leave’.

Lineker frequently discusses Brexit on his Twitter page, railing against what he said were the dire consequences of a no deal Brexit.

‘We’re not actually, really, seriously, possibly contemplating a no deal Brexit, are we? Democracy is democracy and all that but there are limits to how much we want to self-harm, surely,’ he wrote.

Last month he hosted a Q&A at a ‘People’s Vote’ rally in Westminster attended by 3,000 people and interviewed Boris Johnson’s brother Jo, who quit as a minister over Mrs May’s handling of Brexit.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk