Lineker and Shearer Dream of Shootout Cities…
In a plot twist worthy of a soap opera, Gary Lineker is calling for the FA Cup’s extra time to get a red card. After Manchester United’s dramatic penalty exit against Fulham, Lineker has had enough of the snooze fest that is 30 added minutes. “Let’s skip the yawns and fast forward to penalties,” said Lineker on The Rest Is Football podcast, while we all waited for him to hit snooze.
Ruben Amorim’s boys gave us 120 minutes at Old Trafford, but not even Bruno Fernandes’ equalizer could save us from the post-nap penalties. Lineker, joined by Alan Shearer, believes extra time should be tossed into the bin, just like my attempts to finish a salad. “Straight to penalties!” cheered Shearer, backing up his football comrade.
The podcast has flirted with this idea before, much like my attempts to flirt with making New Year’s resolutions. We ditched replays last year, and Lineker thinks extra time should follow, otherwise mighty squads get the advantage – like Spurs pulling out their A-players against unsuspecting Tamworth.
As the quarter-finals loom, our football merry-go-round sees Fulham, Palace, Bournemouth, and Brighton still chasing their first FA Cup glories. While Manchester City eye another final, maybe Lineker’s dream of a penalty-palooza isn’t too far away!
