‘Gary Lineker may have presented his last Match of the Day – it’s irreconcilable’
Gary Lineker might have presented his last episode of Match of the Day as he and the BBC are in an “irreconcilable position”.
The former England striker has been taken off air ahead of tonight’s broadcast after failing to agree on his social media usage following the backlash to a tweet criticising the government. Lineker had controversially compared Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s new illegal immigration policy to those of Nazi Germany in a post made this week.
Pundits and commentators have since confirmed that they will not appear on Saturday night’s show in solidarity with Lineker and the BBC’s former controller of editorial policy has now suggested he will never return to the hosting role.
READ MORE: Alex Scott pulls out of Football Focus in support of Gary Lineker as MOTD row continues
Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Saturday morning, Richard Ayre explained: “It is an irreconcilable position, I think, between the BBC guidelines and Gary who, perfectly understandably, feels that he has a right as an individual to express his views on any issue, however politically contentious it may be.
“The BBC takes a different view because its guidelines lay down particular rules for people who are really high-profile BBC personalities, and I don’t think it’s likely that in the coming days they’re going to be reconciled.
“It may already have been the last time we’ve seen Gary presenting Match Of The Day, unfortunately.”
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(Image: @BBCSport/Twitter)
Ayre went on to insist that there was hypocrisy when it came to the BBC not disciplining Lord Sugar, who is said to have publicly supporter political stances in the past.
He said that the corporation’s guidelines refer to people with “a particularly high BBC public profile”, and in this case there is “quite a gulf” between Lineker and Sugar.
As for claims of double standards regarding BBC chairman Richard Sharpe, Ayre added that the broadcaster does not appoint and, therefore, “can’t sack” its own chairman.
(Image: BBC)
Lineker’s absence, and the subsequent boycott from pundits and commentators, will mean fans experience a unique edition of Match of the Day this weekend.
It is understood that the broadcast will go ahead but without a presenter or any pundits. Players and clubs could also refuse to speak to the BBC after Premier League matches on Saturday.
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