Gary Lineker was left baffled at the Sports Personality of The Year (SPOTY) shortlist ahead of this year's awards in Salford. Lineker once again acted as the face of the BBC's World Cup coverage, following a month of action in Qatar that was rounded off by Lionel Messi's Argentina being crowned champions.
Just days after Sunday's final, Lineker is back on presenting duties back home in the UK as he takes to the stage alongside Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott at the annual SPOTY awards. Ahead of Wednesday's evening ceremony Lineker and co have been in rehearsals for the show.
Whilst in preparation though, the former England international was left in shock after golfer Matthew Fitzpatrick was left out of the six-athlete shortlist.
Fitzpatrick became just the fourth Brit in 96 years to win the US Open title, after he secured his first major championship at Brookline in June. Following his major triumph the Englishman looked to be a shoe-in for the SPOTY shortlist.
Six months on though Fitzpatrick has been left out of the prestigious list, leaving presenter Lineker baffled. Sharing his bemusement at the decision, Lineker tweeted - along with a number of 'shock-faced- emojis: "Starting rehearsals for @BBCSPOTY and saw the list of contenders doesn’t contain @MattFitz94!"
Lineker is not the only man to be left baffled by the decision to leave Fitzpatrick off the list. Fellow presenter Dan Walker also admitted he was 'surprised' at the Sheffield man's omission, tweeting: "I love #SPOTY but I’m surprised there is no space on the shortlist for @MattFitz94 who has had an unbelievable year."
Fellow golfer and former Ryder Cup teammate of Fitzpatrick's Ian Poulter was less than impressed with the decision to leave the US Open champion off the list. Poulter gave an explosive rant on social media following the release of the shortlist, labelling it a 'farce'.
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"Sorry but complete disregard for @MattFitz94 makes this event a continued farce and joke," he posted. "I experienced first hand how much of a joke this was 10 years ago. Promised myself then I’d never waste time attending or watching again."
One man who was seemingly unfazed by the decision was Fitzpatrick himself, who in the hours after the shortlist was revealed took to social media to round off his year of success. Accompanied with a clip of his best bits from 2022, the Englishman wrote: "2022, a year I’ll never forget. A year that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family, friends and team. Here’s to more success in 2023!!"
