Gary Lineker has responded in his typically sharp style after Micah Richards jokingly branded him an “absolute traitor” for appearing on ITV’s World Cup panel. The long-time Match of the Day presenter made an unexpected appearance on the rival broadcaster’s set in New York ahead of Germany’s match against Ivory Coast.

Veteran broadcasters exchange humour in New York

The beloved duo’s friendship took an amusing twist over the weekend when Richards teased Lineker about his switch to ITV. Having been a major part of the BBC’s sports coverage for 26 years, Lineker’s presence at the rival network stirred plenty of chatter among football fans and former BBC colleagues.

Richards, still part of the BBC commentary team for the 2026 World Cup, did not miss the chance to rib his co-host from The Rest is Football podcast. The friendly banter reached its peak during a digital segment for their show when Richards jokingly tried to take over Lineker’s usual presenting duties.

Lineker’s witty comeback to the ‘traitor’ tag

The exchange began when Richards opened the broadcast by saying, “Hello and welcome to The Rest is Football with me.” Lineker quickly interrupted, exclaiming, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, Micah, that’s my job.” Richards, laughing, shot back, “See, it’s not nice, is it? Absolute traitor you are! 26 years of blood, sweat, and tears for the BBC, and then you go over to the rivals!”

Amused by the accusation, Lineker showed his trademark composure and quick wit. The 65-year-old simply ended the video link to Richards, who was streaming from Manchester, before telling him to “shut the f*** up.” The humorous moment later circulated widely online, underlining the easy-going friendship between the two pundits despite their work for competing broadcasters.

Lineker’s subtle remarks about BBC’s approach

Although the back-and-forth with Richards was light-hearted, Lineker’s move to ITV gave him the chance to make a subtle point about his former employer. He has previously expressed his preference for on-location coverage, contrasting ITV’s New York studio with the BBC’s decision to present much of its early tournament programming from Salford.

During his ITV introduction, Lineker praised the network’s set-up, saying, “I’ve been doing a show daily for Netflix, we’re at Times Square. But I desperately wanted to come and see your set because I think it’s absolutely amazing and I can confirm that it is real.” His remarks echoed comments he made in May when he criticised the BBC’s “green box” Salford studio, saying he preferred the buzz of being where the action is.

ITV’s production challenges in the USA

Despite Lineker’s praise, ITV’s World Cup operation in the United States has faced its own share of obstacles. While the BBC has opted for the safety of its Manchester base, ITV’s team in Brooklyn has contended with rough weather and noise complaints that have disrupted live broadcasts.

Recently, strong winds forced presenter Laura Woods and her guests to abandon their open-air set and move indoors during the Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina game. Additionally, the crew has struggled with loud rooftop parties from a nearby hotel, proving that broadcasting from real locations can bring vivid energy but also unpredictable challenges.