Former English striker turned Match Of The Day Presenter speaks out on claims he was "racially abused" throughout childhood and into his early footballing career. 

Football legend Gary Lineker claims he suffered from "racial abuse" throughout his football career due to his "darkish skin".

Former Tottenham and England striker turned Match Of The Day presenter claims he first heard insults as a child but continued into his football career from fellow known football figures.

Lineker adds life would have been much different for him without sport.

He notes "I think I would have been bullied at school, I was kind of marginally that way anyway because I was this tiny geeky kid, with darkish skin and I had pretty much racist abuse although I'm not, I'm as English as they come. All the time, all the time."

The former Spurs star has openly spoke out against racism on and off the pitch and in April 2021 joined fellow sports legends in four-day social media blackout to battle abuse and discrimination within the sport.