Gary Lineker blasted after claiming doping is ‘not really an issue in football’
Match of the Day host went onto explain he did not think drugs cheats were rife in football but ex-Olympic athlete and others slammed his claims
GARY LINEKER was blasted for being "naive" and "blinded" after claiming that doping is "not really an issue in football".
The Match of the Day host was met with a barrage of stick for spouting his opinion online.
Former Olympic athlete Kelly Sotherton was among those who pointed out the error of Lineker's tweet, calling him "blinded".
Former England star Lineker, 57, posted to his 6.8million followers: "Doping is not really an issue in football.
"Doping doesn't help players play better. No amount of drugs will help you pass, dribble, shoot.
"There would be plenty of whistleblowers if doping were prevalent. It just doesn't add up."
But heptathlete Sotherton, 41, who missed out on Olympic medals because of drugs cheats, hit back.
She said: "So footballers don't have to be strong, run fast or be fit and recover?"
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And in another tweet she added that the former football star's views were "so blinded".
Another Twitter user called Lineker "laughable".
Quoting Linker's now deleted tweet, they wrote: "This is laughable. Are you saying that a talented player who physically enhances his performance using drugs would see no benefit?"
Another said: "Surprisingly naive statement from Gary Lineker."
A fellow user posted: "No sport can say it has anti-doping under control. None. Naivety should be dead and Lineker has a responsibility as he has access to millions of fans. Some believe him."
Referencing Lineker's supposed hypocrisy for hosting the Fifa World Cup draw after openly criticising the governing body, another wrote: "Between cosying up to FIFA and now his backward stance towards doping in football, the past few days have really revealed Gary Lineker to be a massive milkshake duck."
Another blasted: "Lineker must have been living in a cave."
A fellow user said: "Lineker's 'doping's not really an issue in football' take is extraordinarily bad."
The telly favourite later backed down from his claims.
He added: "I've deleted that tweet. I may be naive, it's not my area of expertise."