Former Premier League boss Avram Grant has launched a scathing attack on Gary Lineker, claiming the ex-England striker used last week's deadly synagogue terror attack to push his own views on Gaza.
The Israeli-born manager took to Instagram to condemn Lineker for sharing posts about the Gaza conflict in the days following the Manchester tragedy.
Two Jewish worshippers lost their lives when a terrorist rammed a car into Heaton Park synagogue and stabbed his victims during Yom Kippur services, with three others injured in the horrific attack.
The suspected offender, Jihad Al-Shamie, was also killed after being shot by armed officers.
Lineker left his role at the BBC earlier this year after a row about his social media use. The 64-year-old regularly shares content relating to Gaza and included an illustration of a rat in one post, sparking the row that ultimately led to his dismissal.
Recently, the former Leicester striker reposted a video from Green Party Leader Zack Polanski, who warned against using the Manchester tragedy to stop peaceful protests about Israel's actions in Gaza.
Former Premier League boss Avram Grant has launched a scathing attack on Gary Lineker claiming the ex-England striker used last week's deadly synagogue terror attack to push his own views on Gaza
| GETTYPolanski's video, which Lineker shared to his Instagram story, described such behaviour as "problematic" and "inflammatory".
And the ex-Chelsea boss has had enough. Lineker sparked his fury by sharing and liking social media posts that linked the Manchester attack to the Gaza situation, and he believes the former England star failed to show proper sympathy for the victims of the attack.
Posted on his Instagram, Grant said: “@GaryLineker you're being honoured with the prestigious Legends of Football award. Yet, at a time where we should all be trying to make peace and bring people together, you are still using an attack against innocent Jews to cause hate and division.
Israeli-born Avram Grant did not mince his words on Gary Lineker, believing he should not accept his prestigious Legends of Football award
|PA
“The situation in Gaza has caused me to have sleepless nights. My heart breaks for this situation. When you talk about this I can understand.
“Why is it that you are not distressed by what happened on October 7? Why have you shown no sympathy about holocaust survivors being shot and beaten and taken hostage or babies being put in ovens?
“You don't feel sorry that the people in Manchester who have gone to pray in synagogue and have caused no harm to anyone get killed and many others wounded for the simple reason they are Jewish?
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“Instead, you have spent three days condemning people who are discussing the Manchester attack saying it shouldn't detract to what's going on in Gaza. Why do you use this situation to speak about Gaza?
“Lineker, these people don't do anything to anybody. Don't use the fact that these innocent Jewish people have been attacked to raise your hateful agenda about that situation in Gaza. The two things should not be conflated.
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Avram Grant unleashed his true thoughts on Gary Lineker on his Instagram | INSTAGRAM“You should not accept this award. To be a legend, you need to show a positive example to the next generation. Let's hope for a lasting peace in the Middle East.”
It isn’t the first time that the pair have locked horns over political issues. In 2024, the former Match of the Day host shared a post from a pro-Palestine account suggesting Israel should be banned from international competitions.
Gary Lineker did accept the award, presented by Wayne Rooney | INSTAGRAMOnce again, Grant took to his Instagram: “Hi @garylineker, so you have done it again. You are retweeting the chairman of the Palestine FA.
“The same man who publicly supported the October 7 massacre and said it was a great day that should happen again and again.
“I pray for peace, but these people don't want peace. They killed babies. They raped women. They burnt people alive. They filmed it all. A massacre which you were completely silent about.”
Grant had taken issue with Lineker’s social media during the October 7 attack from Hamas on Israel, a stark contrast from his usual activity.