BBC Match of the Day host Gary Lineker faces a £4.9million tax battle with HMRC.
The former England striker, 63, who it was announced this week will quit Match of the Day at the end of this season, is heading to court regarding a dispute over his earnings from his time with the BBC and BT Sport between 2013 and 2018. Lineker, who declared himself a freelancer, has been challenged by tax officials, who consider he was actually an employee.
Despite winning an initial ruling in March 2023 when the courts ruled in the ex-Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham ace's favour, HMRC haven't backed down and successfully appealed, prompting a new hearing scheduled for December 2 and 3 at the Upper Tribunal.
Lineker argues he had paid all his tax legitimately though his firm Gary Lineker Media Ltd - a similar argument used by telly favourite Lorraine Kelly, who faced a £1.2m bill but a judge ruled she worked for herself and not ITV, reports the Mirror.
The MOTD host will leave the show he first fronted in 1999 at the end of this season. However, fans needn't worry; Lineker's relationship with the BBC isn't over.
Agreements are in place that will see him front World Cup coverage and continue with the MoTD Top Ten podcast. Plus, he'll present FA Cup matches until the 2025-26 season, and his podcast, The Rest is Football, will be featured on BBC Sounds.
A thankful Lineker shared: "I'm delighted to continue my long association with BBC Sport and would like to thank all those who made this happen."
Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC Sport chief, praised Gary Lineker as a "world class presenter" who will be "hugely missed" on Match of the Day. Front-runners to take over from the ex-England striker include Mark "Chappers" Chapman, currently helming Match Of The Day 2.
Chapman is a prominent figure in BBC's football coverage on radio, hosting Sports Report and the Monday Night Club on 5 Live, as well as the global podcast The Sports Agents with Gabby Logan, also seen as a potential replacement for Lineker.
Gabby, a former gymnast, has previously stepped in for Lineker on Match Of The Day and led coverage for England womens Euros 2023. Ex-England star Alex Scott is another serious contender, having hosted The One Show and featured alongside Lineker during the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year show.
The BBC released a statement noting: "Plans for Match of the Day will be announced in due course." Lineker, often at the top of the BBC's highest earners list, replaced Des Lynam as host in 1999.
Starting his BBC journey on Radio 5 Live and featuring on Grandstand, Lineker faced suspension from the show last March after a tweet concerning government asylum policies raised questions about BBC presenters sharing political views on social media.
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