- Gary Lineker has revealed that he deliberately chose to stop working with Fifa after being asked to meet Russian president Vladimir Putin whilst hosting the 2018 World Cup draw in December 2017.
- The former Match of the Day presenter declined the meeting by claiming he needed to prepare his script, later admitting that the situation made him feel uncomfortable and prompted his “deliberate ploy” to distance himself from football's governing body.
- Lineker explained on his podcast, The Rest is Football , that maintaining his independence from Fifa was crucial for his media work, preventing any potential inside influence on his reporting.
- Addressing the current governance of football, Lineker criticised Fifa president Gianni Infantino's intention to stand for a fourth term, describing the concentration of power as oligarchic and dangerous.
- Lineker advocated for strict term limits or a rotation system for the Fifa presidency, suggesting a model similar to American presidents to prevent powerful figures from remaining in charge indefinitely by promising money to federations.
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Gary Lineker reveals he refused to work with Fifa after Vladimir Putin request
