So-called 'King of Ibiza' Wayne Lineker faces wrath of locals after attack

Ibiza-based politician has labelled Wayne Lineker as a 'victim of his own excess' following a brutal attack, sparking calls for a shift in the island's tourism model amidst local criticism of the bar owner.

Wayne Lineker took to social media to express gratitude towards his fans for their support after he was savagely assaulted and knocked unconscious by an assailant on the street. The estranged brother of football commentator Gary Lineker stated that he had been attempting to safeguard a female friend when the incident occurred.

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Video footage from the night depicted him lying motionless on the ground - reportedly unconscious for six minutes. He has since heightened his personal security in response to the horrifying ambush.

In a Facebook post accompanied by a photo of him giving a thumbs-up in a bar, he disclosed that he had a swollen lip and stitches after being punched in the face but reassured followers that he was "doing ok". He then reflected on how the situation could have taken a much graver turn.

"It could have been much worse so I count myself very fortunate I wasn't standing 2 yards further back, as my head would have impacted the wall," he penned, reports the Mirror.

"Obviously the video is very disturbing to see especially for my family. The papers were very accurate and it was a simple case of me just trying to protect a girl from being harassed. Thank you everyone for all your messages of concern the support has been really overwhelming."

Supporters and friends of the party venue owner have been quick to condemn the attack, posting messages of support in the comments section. However, it appears that some locals on the island are less than impressed with his antics.

Antonio Lorenzo, leader of the Socialist Party on the local council, suggested that the star was merely reaping what he had sown due to his 'brand of excess and drunkenness'. He added: "This will not be solved with more security measures; it will be solved with a change of the tourism model."

Wayne, 62, who has built a reputation for his non-stop partying, established his empire back in 1988 when he opened sports pub Lineker's Bar in Tenerife. Following its success, he expanded his business to Marbella, Benidorm, Puerto Banus, Ibiza, London and Essex.

After falling head over heels for Ibiza when Lineker's launched there in 2008, he went on to open O Beach Club (formerly known as Ocean Beach) in San Antonio. The club is renowned for its daytime pool parties and has attracted celebrities such as footballer Jack Grealish, singer Ed Sheeran and MMA fighter Conor McGregor.

However, not everyone is a fan of O Beach. Locals have reacted angrily to Wayne being dubbed the 'King of Ibiza'.

On a Facebook group for Ibiza activists, they left scathing messages criticising the businessman and his ventures.

Local resident Jacquie Perry didn't mince her words, saying: "What I can say is that O Beach annoys all the neighbours in the area and causes lots of problems when the party ends, and the prices are extremely expensive."

Beatriz Boned also weighed in with a critical eye: "Coming from abroad and being called the ''King of Ibiza'' seems very offensive to me, or rather narcissistic."

And another local didn't hold back either: "What is clear is that if this man and his businesses went elsewhere, the lives of the Ibiza people would be the same or better than under the reign of this buffoon."

A cabbie shared his two cents with the Daily Mail about the hotspot known as O Beach, which he claims "gets hundreds and hundreds of people extremely intoxicated before releasing them into the public."

He continued, expressing his concern: "It can be a problem, we've all been young and had fun but a lot of these people don't respect the island at all, there are regular fights and trouble. There are many kings in Ibiza but Wayne Lineker is not my king."

The controversy has flared up amidst anti-tourism protests across Majorca, Menorca, and Ibiza, spearheaded by a group named Prou Eivissa (Enough Ibiza). They're campaigning against the disruption caused by boozy tourists, including loud party boats and the influx of cars on the island.

In response, authorities have clamped down with new stringent measures aimed at curbing street drinking and partying at sea, threatening hefty penalties for those who flout the rules.

Authorities in the Balearic Islands are reinforcing legislation from 2020 that already restricts the sale of alcohol between 9:30pm and 8am. Those who violate this could now face fines ranging from £430 to £1,290.

Nevertheless, Wayne asserts he maintains positive relations with local law enforcement, mayor, and town hall officials, believing his enterprises catalyse the local economy. He voiced in 2023: "We are good for San Antonio, people book hotels because they're close to Ocean... we understand that we need to respect everything."