'He's handed in a transfer request!': Sporting world pokes fun at Boris Johnson resignation

Boris Johnson has resigned as British foreign secretary, and the sporting world has been quick to poke fun at the Conservative Party politician, especially after his derogatory remarks about the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Downing Street confirmed the departure in a statement which read:"This afternoon, the prime minister accepted the resignation of Boris Johnson as foreign secretary. His replacement will be announced shortly. The prime minister thanks Boris for his work." 

Johnson infamously compared Russia 2018 to the 1936 Berlin Olympics in Nazi Germany, which was largely used as a vehicle for Adolf Hitler's regime. He also said England's participation in the competition "would not go ahead as planned" should Russia not admit alleged involvement in the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

Following news of the cabinet split, former England international and 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner Gary Lineker was among the first with a football jargon-laiden jibe comparing Johnson's resignation to a "transfer request."

Ex-Premier League star turned broadcaster Stan Collymore hinted that Johnson's move was all an elaborate plan to allow him time off to travel to support England in their World Cup semi-final versus Croatia on Wednesday in Moscow.

Former England rugby union international Brian Moore was adament Johnson was running away from "delivering what he promised," while prominent British journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy unfavorably linked the departure with the England national football team's success in Russia.

And of course, the Twitterati had their own meme and gif tributes to the shock exit, some supporting the opinions of Collymore that the incident is nothing more than an excuse for a good old jolly-up while watching the foootball. 

The departure of former London Mayor Johnson represents yet another blow to the government of Theresa May, who is pushing for a soft Brexit plan that has angered many Conservatives.

READ MORE: British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson resigns - Downing Street

Johnson's quitting follows that of the Brexit secretary, David Davis, and his No 2 at the Department for Exiting the EU, Steve Baker. Rumors began swirling earlier on Monday that Johnson would be leaving his post, as he was holed up in his residence with his closest advisers, missing a scheduled appearance at the West Balkans summit. There were also reports that he missed a Cobra meeting about the Wiltshire Novichok poisoning.