The BBC opted not to show Qatar’s closing ceremony on BBC One (Picture: BBC)
Gary Lineker explained the BBC’s decision not to show the Qatar World Cup closing ceremony on terrestrial television was not politically motivated.
The BBC was criticised for opting not to show the opening ceremony at the start of the tournament in what was perceived by many as a direct dig at the Gulf state’s human rights record and archaic LGBTQ+ laws.
Lineker opened the BBC’s coverage of the world’s biggest sporting event a month ago with a lengthy monologue, highlight some of the issues that plagued Qatar and marked them out as less than ideal hosts.
The former England striker was heavily criticised and labelled a hypocrite having failed to call out Russia for their transgressions prior to hosting the World Cup four years ago.
On this occasion, as the BBC again chose to limit coverage of the closing ceremony, Lineker explained: ‘As is customary on BBC One for major football finals we’re going to concentrate on the action.
‘But if you would prefer and like to watch the closing ceremony it will be live iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the red button.’
As the ceremony commenced, Lineker could not resist a subtle dig at FIFA president Gianni Infantino who had been lauding the success of the competition at a press conference on Friday.
The World Cup closed with a glitzy ceremony at the Al Beyt Stadium (Picture: Getty)
He added: ‘The closing ceremony is just getting underway, remember it is live on the red button and iPlayer.
‘If you want to watch FIFA president Gianni Infantino this week called it the best World Cup ever… I had a feeling he might.’
Infantino had been ridiculed for his pre-tournament speech a month ago when he claimed he could empathise with minority groups because he had been bullied as a youngster for having red hair.
The 52-year-old was in bullish form again on Friday by branding Qatar’s staging of the tournament as an unqualified success.
‘The World Cup has been an incredible success on all fronts,” Infantino decalred.
‘The main one being the fans, the behaviour, the joyful atmosphere, the bringing of people together. The fans meeting the Arab world, it has been very important for the future of all of us.’
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World Cup 2022: your FAQs answered
The opening ceremony was only available on the red button, too.
