Gary Lineker called out the false Sun story on Twitter. (Twitter, screenshot)
The Sun accused on its front page that BBC sports commentator and former England soccer player Gary Lineker owed £1.3 million because of tax problems.
The Jan. 31 article claimed: “Gary Lineker has been clobbered with a £1.3million bill after investing in controversial tax-break schemes.”
A link to The Sun‘s article goes to an error page but the Media Blog published an image of the front page story.
Lineker responded to the allegations and said he already involved a lawyer in posts on Twitter.
“The Sun has done another truth avoidance piece on its front page. I look forward to the tiny apology on page 47 in a few weeks time,” he tweeted.
The Sun has done another truth avoidance piece on its front page. I look forward to the tiny apology on page 47 in a few weeks time.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 31, 2015
Right, Lawyer’s on the case. Nothing more from me until the apology. Back to the football!
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 31, 2015
Lineker wrote that “lawyer’s on the case” and that there would be “nothing more from me until the apology.”
A spokesperson for The Sun confirmed that the paper had received a legal letter from Lineker’s representatives.
“Always paid my tax, in full,” he added to another. “Nothing hidden.”
Further, he called for news outlets re-publishing the Sun‘s claims to correct. “The Sun has now taken down its story about me from their website. Other papers please note,” he wrote.
The Sun has now taken down its story about me from their website. Other papers please note.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 31, 2015
The UK Mail re-published the claims, according to the Press Gazette. “Mail Online has also taken down a story which followed up The Sun piece and repeated the same allegations,” Press Gazette reported.
He responded to followers saying that he is suing the Sun. “Why not sue them?” a tweeter asked. “I will!” he responded.
iMediaEthics has reached out to Lineker for comment over Twitter.
