Gary Lineker backs his own team's arch rivals as BBC presenter wades into politics again
Gary Lineker backs his own team's arch rivals as BBC presenter wades into politics again
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Gary Lineker backed his former club’s arch rivals in last night’s Champions League Final as the BBC presenter slammed Borussia Dortmund over its decision to sign a sponsorship deal with a major arms company.
Lineker, 63, who spent three years at the Nou Camp before returning to England to sign for Tottenham Hotspur, sided with Barcelona’s bitter El Classico opponents Real Madrid against German side Borussia Dortmund.
The outspoken Match of the Day presenter lamented Dortmund’s decision to sign a sponsorship deal with a major arms company.
A three-year agreement with the weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall was announced ahead of Real Madrid’s victory at Wembley last night.
Gary Lineker backs his own team's arch rivals as BBC presenter wades into politics again
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Many fans were siding with Borussia Dortmund, who last won the top tier continental cup in 1997, as the German club entered the final as underdogs against Los Blancos.
However, Lineker said: “First time I’ll be cheering for Real Madrid in a Champions League Final.”
Announcing its sponsorship deal, Dortmund said that the agreement will see Rheinmetall gain “the use of wide-reaching advertising space, marketing rights and event and hospitality arrangements in the stadium and on the club grounds”.
Dortmund chair Hans-Joachim Watzke defended the arrangement, claiming: “Security and defence are fundamental cornerstones of our democracy.”
He added: “Especially today, when we see every day how freedom must be defended in Europe. We should deal with this new [normal].
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Real Madrid won the Champions League last night
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“We are looking forward to the partnership with Rheinmetall and, as Borussia Dortmund, we are consciously opening ourselves up to a discourse.”
Germany Economy Minister Robert Habeck also interjected on the row, arguing: “Ignoring the arms industry is no longer tenable in Germany due to the new reality.”
However, some Dortmund fans echoed concerns about the deal by unveiling a banner which said: “Rheinmetall – using football to become clean. Protecting [Borussia Dortmund] from sportswashing is our mission.”
Dortmund lost to Carlo Ancelotti’s side as the 64-year-old Italian won his fifth Champions League trophy of his managerial career.
Despite the German side hitting the woodwork and missing a number of chances, Spaniard Dani Carvajal opened the deadlock in the 74th minute.
Borussia Dortmund suffered a 2-0 defeat to Los Blancos
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Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior put the game to bed in the 83rd minute by slotting the ball past Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Real Madrid last night extended its lead over its European rivals by winning the top tier continental cup yet again.
Los Blancos have won the Champions League 15 times, eight more than AC Milan in second.
Lineker’s ex-club Barcelona have won the trophy just five times.
The El Clasico is one of the largest rivalries in the world, with fans in the Spanish capital and the heart of Catalonia lamenting players who make the switch.
Portuguese winger Luis Figo sparked outrage after moving from the Nou Camp to the Santiago Bernabeau in 2000.
Figo was jeered after he received a yellow card early into his return to Barcelona and a fan later opted to hurl a pig’s head at him.