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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Julian Borger World affairs editor

Political football: how the UK’s culture wars engulfed the national game

Gary Lineker Football Alan Shearer David Attenborough Ian Wright Richard Sharp Soccer
Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Ian Wright on Match of the Day
Gary Lineker (left) presenting an edition of Match of the Day with Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, who have refused to appear on this week’s programme in solidarity with their suspended colleague. Photograph: Pete Dadds/BBC

Political and cultural warfare in the United Kingdom has now breached the sanctum of its favourite game, one of the last few havens of national unity.

The shattered haven in question is Match of the Day, a Saturday night TV programme on BBC that shows and dissects highlights of the day’s Premier League football (soccer) action.

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