They have a responsibility. I know they have to be honest and give their opinion, but they also have a responsibility as an ex-England player. People care about what they say and people do listen to them.
Those were the words of England captain Harry Kane, responding to pundits’ criticism of his side’s lacklustre opening performances at Euro 2024.
Kane was being asked during a press conference to comment on a particular critique made by BBC host Gary Lineker, who described England’s group stage display against Denmark as “shit” on his podcast The Rest is Football.
Lineker’s comment, Kane’s subsequent response, and the furore that surrounded it have created a fascinating melodrama which brings the role of the media – player-pundits, journalists and broadcasters – into focus when covering their own national teams.
Lineker may have now changed his tune since England’s last-minute win against Slovakia, but the spat raises some interesting questions about what …