“His recent social media activity is a breach of our guidelines,” the BBC said of Lineker’s tweet. “When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We never said Gary shouldn’t have an opinion on things that matter to him.” However, according to the BBC, Lineker should not get involved in “party political issues or political controversies”.
Sky Sports does comment on the BBC’s statement. “According to our information, that is not entirely correct,” it sounds. “Lineker himself did not agree to be taken off the screen. That measure was taken by the BBC because it does not want to apologize for its comments on social media about the government’s policies.”
On Tuesday, the British Home Secretary Suella Braverman presented the new draft law with which the British government wants to tackle illegal migration. With the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’, London wants to make it easier to detain and deport illegal migrants arriving by boat in the British Isles. So they cannot apply for asylum.
On Twitter, Lineker described the new asylum policy as an “immeasurably brutal policy targeting the most vulnerable in a language no different from that of Germany in the 1930s.” Lineker has been the host of ‘Match of the Day’ since 1999. The former striker of Leicester, Everton, Barcelona and Tottenham has repeatedly argued in the past for better rights and protection for refugees.
There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?
— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 7, 2023
No Shearer and Wright either, apologies BBC
The fact that Lineker no longer presents ‘Match of the Day’ is a thorn in the side of colleagues such as Alex Scott and ex-footballers Alan Shearer and Ian Wright. The last two are regular faces in the football program, but let the BBC know that they would not join the broadcast. “Everyone knows what ‘Match of the Day’ means to me, but I have informed the BBC that I will not be there. Solidarity,” Wright wrote on Twitter. Shearer also shared the news on his social media.
Lineker himself was spotted in the stands at Leicester-Chelsea yesterday. In the stadium, some supporters expressed their support for the presenter. They held placards that read “I agree with Gary. Migrants welcome.” In Crystal Palace-Manchester City, a striking sign turned up at a City fan. “Gary Lineker for Prime Minister,” it read. Lineker himself eagerly posed for a photo with supporters and was clearly having a good time.
The BBC apologized for this weekend’s “limited sports programming” at the broadcaster. Among other things, the program Final Score and Football Focus, presented by Alex Scott, were forced to be taken off the screen. Match of the Day was still on the program, but without a presentation or analysis of the matches played in the English Premier League. The legendary opening tune of the iconic BBC program was also missing.
In a statement, the BBC discusses the changes to the broadcaster’s “limited sports programming”. “We are sorry about these changes and recognize that it will be disappointing for BBC sports fans. We are working hard to resolve the situation as soon as possible.”
I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) March 10, 2023
Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) March 10, 2023
Should BBC chairman resign?
Former BBC boss Roger Mosey argues in a series of tweets that the BBC has not always been consistent in applying the rules in recent years. With Lineker’s departure, it appears the BBC has given in to “one side of the culture war,” according to Mosey. According to him, the chairman in particular contributed to that image. He therefore believes that Sharp should resign because he has ‘damaged the credibility of the BBC’.
Politician Ed Davey also called on Sharp to leave because of the fuss over Lineker. “His appointment and position are now totally untenable and he must resign,” said the leader of the Liberal Democrats.
