Gary Lineker reveals how Match of the Day chooses running order after fan complaints

GARY LINEKER has revealed how the Match of the Day running order is decided after receiving accusations of bias from fans.

The 62-year-old faced backlash when his former club Tottenham were played first on Saturday's show after their 5-2 win at Burnley.

Lineker fired back insisting the most exciting Premier League games are always on first on Saturday's MOTD.

However other factors are taken into consideration, particularly during the second half of the season, he explained.

Lineker has hosted the BBC flagship football highlights show for more than two decades.

But fans still question how the running order is decided.

Seeing which games get picked to be shown first is one of the show's unique selling points and hints which Premier League fixtures have been more entertaining.

The England legend revealed the show's editor is responsible for the running order but admits it's a team effort involving himself and the pundits for the weekend.

He made the revelation during the latest episode of The Rest Is Football - his podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer.

Lineker said: "It is a combined effort but it is ultimately the editor's decision.

"Generally you get the best match on first, it is Match of the Day.

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"Obviously when you cover a sporting event, the main focus is on the leaders.

"You don't watch a horse race and focus on the back six... Towards the second half of the season.

"Whoever is top of the league has to come into your thinking when deciding.";

Lineker also said winning results are preferred to draws when it comes to deciding the line-up.

He added: "We put Forest beating Chelsea 1-0 on second on Saturday night, ahead of Manchester City scoring five against Fulham because it is a big story... You take all those things into account."

The BBC has broadcast highlights of the Premier League for most of the division's existence.

The only exception was between 2001 and 2004 when ITV obtained the rights. 

Since regaining coverage Lineker admits he's worked hard to ensure every team is given a good show.

He continued: "I had a discussion with BBC bosses when we got the TV rights back from ITV over whether we could show every game.

"Back then it was highlights from a few matches, a couple of clips from another and then just goals.

"They worked it out and I thought 'at last we won't get complaints from fans that teams aren't being shown'. Now it is just them complaining that their team is on last!"