Gary Lineker Says EPL Not Helping National Team With Fixtures

Former England captain and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has accused the Premier League of having a "disregard for the best interests" of the national team, according to the BBC. Lineker believes the top-flight schedule "does not help" England Manager Roy Hodgson. Liverpool hosts ManU while Arsenal plays Tottenham on the weekend of Aug. 31, just "days before England face Moldova and Ukraine." Lineker wrote on Twitter: "Never help ourselves!" The games at Anfield and the Emirates "could be played on" Sunday, Sept. 1 for live TV coverage. Lineker added: "Onus now on Sky and BT Sport to do the right thing and leave the games on Saturday. Time to put the nation's interests before their own." The FA "declined to comment," but it is understood "no formal request was made regarding fixtures, although the issue was discussed at a meeting." Hodgson "could have as many as 20 members of his squad on duty at Anfield and the Emirates" (BBC, 6/20).