05 November 2023 , 19:30
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Wayne Lineker said it was "completely and utterly devastating" to be called a "paedo" by a 12,000-strong crowd as he appeared at Crouchfest.
The Ocean Beach owner, brother of England legend Gary, was among those to be invited onto a live podcast recording of 'That Peter Crouch Podcast'. Peter Crouch had a number of guests on his show and attempted to look past the chants that came from the crowd.
He began by asking Lineker about his most enjoyable experiences with footballers at the Ibiza-based club with Manchester City's Jack Grealish highlighted as his favourite visitor. Pretty soon though Lineker stood up and faced the crowd before refusing to answer anymore questions.
The 61-year-old has now spoken on social media for the first time since the incident. He confessed people will "love me or hate me" but condemned the chants that could adversely affect those who weren't thick-skinned like him.
He posted: "I know I’m usually a bit of a joker on social media but today doesn’t feel so fun! Sooo I was invited by my good friend Peter Crouch and Chris Stark to be a guest on their iconic event Crouchfest at Wembley Arena last night ..As you can imagine I was blown away by the invitation to join them onstage and was so excited to be part of it!
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"What should have been a bit of fun turned in to what I can only describe as a scene of Mob Mentality against me, thousands of people in unison calling me a ‘paedo’ to be exact! Can you imagine that being you, your dad, your son, your brother, your mate or anyone you love and care about having to endure that on stage.
"Love me or hate me living in party world at my age..but to call me something so disgusting is just completely and utterly devastating and the lowest level of wit, judgement and trolling. On the way to the event I was chatting to various groups of lads who were asking for photos and what I thought being genuine.
"The very same lads were calling me a paedo 2 hours later ..How did it end with a stadium of people all heckling me with such a vile term (football fans or not)? It’s called the Herd affect ..( google it ).
"Luckily I am thick-skinned and see beyond their words and their actions, however some others are not and this kind of behaviour can affect them mentally and can take lives and has taken lives. I also have a family, children and grandchildren - how do you think this kind of trolling makes them feel? My final message on this would be; Remember to be kind it really does not take much effort!"