Gary Lineker 'poised to return to BBC next week' as talks continue
Gary Lineker ‘poised to return to BBC next week’ as crunch talks continue: Match of the Day host could be back on TV for FA Cup quarter finals on Saturday after director general Tim Davie said he wanted him ‘back on air’ amid presenter boycott chaos
- Lineker was taken off air by bosses at the BBC after his comments on Twitter
- The former England footballer was tight lipped when speaking to reporters today
Gary Lineker could return to TV in a matter of days as BBC boss Tim Davie attempts to diffuse a row which has hit the corporation’s sports coverage this weekend.
Lineker was taken off air by bosses at the organisation on Friday after he criticised the Government’s anti-illegal immigration bill, sparking a walkout by his colleagues.
Presenters, pundits and commentators have refused to appear in an act of solidarity, causing Match of the Day, MOTD2 and Radio 5 Live’s Fighting Talk to be severely curtailed.
The former England striker has refused to apologise for his comments, but was uncharacteristically tight lipped this morning, telling reports he ‘can’t say anything’ about the situation that has threatened to engulf the BBC.
Last night its director-general Davie apologised to viewers for the impact it has had on scheduled programming, but denied he would resign and added he wanted to get Lineker back on air as soon as possible.
Gary Lineker, pictured here outside his south west London home this morning, could be back on TV as early as next week
BBC director-general Tim Davie, pictured here in an interview with Nomia Iqbal, has denied he will resign over the row
It has now been reported that talks between Lineker and the organisation are ‘moving quickly’, with Davie set to return to its base at Broadcasting House on Monday.
READ MORE HERE: Gary Lineker refuses to comment as he breaks cover for first time since Match of the Day aired without him
If things progress well, it has even been suggested that Lineker could be back on screens in time to front the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup quarter finals next Saturday.
An insider with knowledge of the talks told the Telegraph both Lineker and the BBC are keen to repair the relationship.
‘Tim Davie has been clear that he wants to resolve the situation and see the MOTD presenter back on air,’ a source told the publication.
‘Gary and his representatives have been in talks for a number of days and these are ongoing.’
On Friday night Davie said: ‘We are working very hard to resolve the situation and make sure we get output back on air.
‘I don’t want to go into too much details about the discussion. Gary Lineker is a superb broadcaster, the best in the business, that’s not in debate. He is an outstanding broadcaster and success for me is Gary gets back on air.’
Earlier today Lineker refused to answer questions from journalists and photographers outside his home in south west London, s the row over comments he made about the Government’s anti-illegal immigration bill, continues to swirl.
His appearance comes after he was take off presenting duties for last night’s MOTD, with the show being severely curtailed to 20 minutes, with no analysis or commentary as pundits and play-by-play announcers refused to appear in solidarity with him.
Protestors gather outside the BBC’s main sports studio in Salford to show support for Gary Lineker
Match of the Day last night was cut to just 20 minutes in length as presenters, staff and commentators refused to come to work in support for Lineker
Lineker was spotted in public for the first time earlier today after Match of the Day aired without him last night
READ MORE HERE: Fans blast ‘soulless’ Premier League highlights without pundits and commentators as they demand ‘#BringBackGary’ after Lineker’s on-air axing
Sports fans looking to watch football coverage on the licence payer-funded channel today saw their plans hit.
The Women’s Super League match was broadcast as scheduled on BBC1, but there was no pre-match or half-time coverage, and the commentary was taken from the WSL’s world feed rather than using the Beeb’s in-house audio team.
And tonight’s MOTD2 is also set to be hit, with host Mark Chapman and pundit Jermaine Defoe both refusing to take par.
Defoe tweeted: ‘It’s always such a privilege to work with BBC MOTD. But tomorrow I have taken the decision to stand down from my punditry duties.’
Commentators for the show have also walked out, with veteran mic-man Guy Mowbray tweeting: ‘As yesterday, there will be no “normal” MOTD(2) programme tonight. The scheduled commentary team are in full agreement with our BBC Sport colleagues. We hope that a resolution can be found ASAP.’
However, there was no such disruption during the channel’s coverage of the Six Nations, with Gabby Logan anchoring today’s match between Scotland and Ireland as scheduled.
Before match commentary from its two scheduled Premier League games this afternoon started on Radio 5 Live, commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball said: ‘I want to reiterate what we said ahead of our football coverage yesterday.
‘I know you’ll all appreciate this is a difficult time for BBC Sport and for all those who work in the department, and we hope it all gets resolved as soon as possible.
‘It’s been a very difficult decision to make personally, I can assure you it’s not been taken lightly, but I’m a BBC staff member, I’m a radio commentator for this station and, just like yesterday, we are here to provide our football service to you, our audience.’
Lineker was forced off air this weekend over a tweet in which he compared the government’s latest stance on migrants to the language used in 1930s Germany.
The latest policy, which would see desperate people who cross on small boats banned from applying to reach the UK for life, has been widely condemned by human rights groups, with claims it could breach international law.
The BBC has strict impartiality rules for employees and freelance staff, including on social media, which new Director General Tim Davie is understood to have clamped down on.
But Lineker’s two-year contract was signed before Davie came to the helm, leaving the corporation unable to force him to comply with tougher standards, the Independent reports.
The BBC took Gary Lineker (pictured) off air after he criticised the Government’s small boats policy last week
Mark Chapman (pictured), who presents MOTD2 is reported to have refused to take part in tonight’s show
Pro-refugee supporters gather outside the BBC Sport studios in Salford’s Media City in protest at Lineker’s suspension
Lineker, pictured here with his son, celebrates a disallowed Chelsea goal as he watches his team Leicester City yesterday
When asked whether he would resign over the chaos, Davie apologised for disruption but refused to step down.
It comes after it was revealed BBC staff are fuming at how slowly the broadcaster is responding to the crisis, with its flagship sports show in tatters last night.
One BBC journalist said: ‘This is Armageddon – essentially an entire division of the BBC has gone on strike.’
Sporting heavyweights have already walked away from football programming across the BBC, but it is now reported that other sports staff members could follow suit.
BBC ‘needs to do better’ says Royal National Institute of Blind People, after vision-impaired viewers were left in the lurch
The Royal National Institute of Blind People has branded the BBC’s decision not to include commentary on Match Of The Day as ‘unacceptable’ and said the corporation ‘needs to do better’.
The football highlights show aired for only 20 minutes on Saturday without accompanying commentary or analysis from pundits following a boycott in ‘solidarity’ with former England player Gary Lineker.
In a tweet, the charity added: ‘The BBC should be upholding basic accessibility standards so that everyone can enjoy their output.’
A spokesperson for the BBC later said: ‘We apologise to those who couldn’t enjoy the programme as they normally would.
‘We have only been able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and we are working hard to resolve the situation.’
Former BBC executive Peter Salmon, who was previously controller of BBC One and director of sport, told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg the situation was ‘complex’ and Lineker is a ‘major figure’.
He added: ‘Twenty-five years in Match Of The Day – he’s more than just a TV presenter, he’s a national figure.
‘He’s got views, he’s got passions, he’s been involved in looking after Ukrainian refugees. It may be that Gary’s outgrown the job and the role in the BBC.
‘Twenty-five years in, before that Des Lynam, Gary took over, he’s been brilliant. Sometimes there’s a point at which you cross the line.’
Reflecting on the disruption to the BBC’s sports schedule, he added: ‘It’s a mess, isn’t it?
‘They must be wishing they could reel back 72 hours and start all over again. It’s Oscars day but there’s no awards for how this has been managed.
‘I think they’ve got to take action pretty quickly. It doesn’t help the chairman of the BBC himself is slacked to one side in this process and there’s a bit of an issue.
‘Tim Davie is isolated in some ways, he needs to come home and grip this now. We need him back running the ship.’
This morning Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said ‘people’s confidence’ should be restored in knowing the BBC has no ‘political agenda’ when he was asked about the Gary Lineker row.
He told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday programme: ‘I don’t agree with his comments and I personally think that he was wrong to say what he said, but I don’t think it’s for me to decide how that issue is resolved.’
‘If you believe in BBC independence, then it’s not for the chancellor or any other government minister to say how these issues are resolved.’
Former Tory chancellor George Osborne backed Gary Lineker, criticising the rhetoric around asylum policy by some in his party.
‘Personally I think some of the language used on immigration by some Conservatives – not all – is not acceptable,’ he told Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show.
‘I have a lot of sympathy for Tim Davie, the director-general, who’s trying to maintain impartiality for the BBC in a partisan age. But it’s all ended up in a bit of a mess.’
It appears Gabby Logan (pictured during the BBC’s Six Nations coverage in February) and her Six Nations coverage team may scupper the BBC’s coverage of the tournament with yet more walkouts
There are already doubts about whether coverage of the WSL crunch match between Chelsea and Manchester United will go ahead. Pictured: Alessia Russo and Mary Earps of Manchester United Women’s team
Asked whether the corporation’s leadership is too close to the party of Government, Mr Hunt said it was not for him ‘to make those judgments’.
Ahead of last night’s MOTD starting, a continuity announcer said: ‘Now on BBC One, we’re sorry that we’re unable to show our normal Match Of The Day including commentary tonight. But here now is the best action from today’s Premier League matches.’
Match Of The Day lasted just 20 minutes following a day of chaos for the BBC as big-name stars walked out in protest alongside host Gary Lineker, leaving the broadcaster having to cancel most of its football coverage.
It was rebranded as ‘Premier League Highlights’ during its broadcast on Saturday evening.
After the shortened version of the usually two-to-three-hour-long programme, the BBC aired Sully, a film about the Hudson River plane crash.
The BBC’s Director-General refused to resign over the chaos caused after Gary Lineker was axed from Match Of The Day and said the football host is ‘the best’ and he wants him ‘back on air’.
Tim Davie apologised for the scheduling mayhem but said the corporation was ‘working very hard to resolve this situation’ and he would ‘absolutely not’ resign.
Davie told the BBC’s Nomia Iqbal: ‘I’m sorry audiences have been affected and they haven’t got the programming’
Match of the Day lasted just 20 minutes last night with no Gary Lineker, no commentary and no pundits
Davie told the BBC: ‘Gary Lineker is a superb broadcaster. He’s the best in the business. He’s an outstanding, brilliant broadcaster and success for me is that Gary gets back on air.’
Asked whether he should resign, Davie said: ‘Absolutely not. I think my job is to serve licence fee payers and deliver a BBC that is really focused on world class, impartial, landmark output.’
He added: ‘I’m sorry audiences have been affected and they haven’t got the programming.
READ MORE HERE: Match of the Day viewing figures up by half a million on last week as 2.58m viewers tune in despite having no presenters or commentators amid Gary Lineker crisis
‘As a keen sports fan I know to miss programming is a real blow and I’m sorry about that. We are working very hard to resolve this situation and make sure we get output on air.
‘Everyone wants to calmly resolve the situation. Gary Lineker’s the best in the business – that’s not for debate.’
Mr Davie also said that he does not feel this is about ‘left or right’ politics, but about the corporation’s ability to balance free speech and impartiality, adding: ‘We’re fierce champions of democratic debate, free speech, but with that comes the need to create an impartial organisation.’
He was backed by former director-general Mark Thompson, who said he ‘absolutely hopes’ Davie will survive the ongoing row and that Lineker had ‘on the face of it’ committed a ‘technical breach’ of the BBC’s social media rules.
These state those working for the BBC outside of its news and factual departments still have an ‘additional responsibility’ given their profile.
He added: ‘I think we have also got our old friend the grey area here. In other words, no-one thinks this is the same as you or Huw Edwards doing it. This is not like a news presenter basically tearing up the impartiality principles inside the news machine.’
Pressed on whether BBC chairman Richard Sharp, who has faced growing calls to resign over the cronyism row caused by him helping Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan facility, should temporarily step aside until the issue is resolved, Mr Thompson said: ‘Gary Lineker is an active broadcaster for the BBC. Richard Sharp is part of the governing body which doesn’t take decisions in real time about actual editorial matters.’
He said ‘the most sensible thing again is just calm down, ignore the papers and let the person who is doing the inquiry complete their inquiry’ instead of making decisions ‘on the fly’.
Asked whether he thought Lineker would be back on air tonight, he replied: ‘I hope so.’
Leicester fan Gary Lineker was at the King Power Stadium to watch his boyhood club host Chelsea. He cheered after Chelsea’s goal was disallowed following a VAR review
The former England star was pictured taking selfies with fans after being taken off air by BBC bosses
Lineker took photos with two kids prior to Leicester’s match against Chelsea at the King Power
Leicester City fans held up signs in support of Lineker in the stands before the match at the King Power Stadium
But on Saturday Lineker’s son George said while his father may return to the flagship football programme, he would not apologise.
READ MORE HERE: Gary Lineker’s son ‘believes his dad WILL return’ to host the BBC’s football highlights show ..but eldest George warns the iconic presenter ‘won’t back down’ over recent comments
Speaking to the Mirror, George, 31, said although his father had been ‘hurt’ by some of the reaction to his ‘Nazi’ jibe tweet against the government’s asylum policy, he ‘wouldn’t back down’.
He told the Mirror: ‘Will he go back to Match of the Day? I think so – he loves Match of the Day. But he won’t ever back down on his word.’
He added: ‘Dad is a good human and I’m proud of him for standing by his word.
‘That’s why he was pulled off the show – because he wouldn’t apologise.’
George said his father would always speak for people without a voice and that refugee welfare was important to him.
Today he tweeted: ‘Proud of the old man after a busy few days.
‘The reaction of the public has been overwhelming. Thanks for the support.’
Former England footballer John Barnes has hit out at the corporation, saying it wants to ‘pick and choose’ when its presenters can be impartial.
Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Barnes said: ‘I don’t know when the BBC has ever been impartial but BBC reporting on the World Cup was anything but impartial.
‘So, it seems that they want to pick and choose when they want to be partial, criticising others or criticising other countries or other political parties or other religions seems to be okay.
‘But, of course, if you then criticise what goes on in this country, then it seems that they will then come up with the impartiality rule.’
Former England footballer John Barnes (pictured) has hit out at the corporation, saying it wants to ‘pick and choose’ when its presenters can be impartial
Swansea City fans also held up a sign in support of the Match of the Day presenter during the Championship side’s clash with Middlesbrough
On Saturday, Football Focus and Final Score were hurriedly replaced by old episodes of Bargain Hunt and The Repair Shop after hosts Alex Scott, Kelly Somers, and Jason Mohammad all refused to take to the airwaves in solidarity with the former England star.
Football Focus host Alex Scott Tweeted that broadcasting the show ‘just doesn’t feel right.’
READ MORE HERE: BBC staff refuse to cover presenter exodus ‘over fears of appearing a scab’ in Gary Lineker row
She wrote: ‘I made a decision last night that even though I love doing football focus and we have had an incredible week winning an SJA award that it just doesn’t feel right going ahead with the show today. Hopefully I will be back in the chair next week…’
BBC Radio 5 Live’s schedule was also hit after football presenter Mark Chapman pulled out of broadcasting alongside Colin Murray, and pundit Dion Dublin, forcing the replacement of 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk with old podcast episodes.
Jermain Defoe, who was due to appear on Match of the Day 2 today, also tweeted: ‘It’s always such a privilege to work with BBC MOTD. But tomorrow I have taken the decision to stand down from my punditry duties. @GaryLineker.’
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: ‘The BBC will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that.
‘We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.
‘We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon.’
To add to the turmoil, Ian Wright – who refused to appear on TV on Saturday – said: ‘If the BBC get rid of Gary Lineker, I’m out, I’m gone.’
It came as a YouGov snap poll revealed a majority (53 per cent) of the British public think the BBC was wrong to suspend Gary Lineker from Match of the Day following his comments on social media about the government’s asylum policy.
The data finds that just over a quarter (27 per cent) think the broadcaster was right to suspend him and a fifth (20 per cent) don’t know.
Labour (75 per cent) and Liberal Democrat (73 per cent) voters are most likely to think the BBC made the wrong decision compared to just over a third (36 per cent) of Conservatives.
In comparison, half (51 per cent) of Tory voters believe the broadcaster made the right decision along with 10 per cent of Labour voters and 14 per cent of Liberal Democrats.
Lineker was spotted in the director’s box as he watched Leicester fall to a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea at the King Power Stadium
Seeing red: Leicester City’s Wout Faes was shown a red card by referee Andre Marriner during the defeat
Instead of presenting MOTD, Lineker watched Leicester lose 3-1 to Chelsea on Saturday and was pictured taking photos with fans before the game.
Who is Gary Lineker’s former England teammate John Barnes?
Ex-England winger John Barnes has come out in full support of Gary Lineker after the MOTD host posted a controversial ‘Nazi’ jibe on Twitter.
Barnes was a teammate of Lineker’s at two world cups. His introduction to the 1986 World Cup was in the quarter final with 15 minutes to go, trailing 2–0 against Argentina.
He set up a goal for Lineker but England crashed out of the tournament.
Barnes was praised for his play and became a regular in the starting line up.
In 1990, during the lead up to the World Cup in Italy, Barnes played alongside Lineker as a forward.
He was injured after scoring a wrongly-disallowed volley against Belgium in the last sixteen stage.
On Saturday Barnes said Lineker was a ‘legend to so many’ but had people’s support over his tweet because ‘he’s right’.
The beloved MOTD host has been backed by his fellow presenters and sports stars.
Speaking after his side’s 1-0 loss to Bournemouth, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: ‘I’m not native but I cannot see why you would ask someone to step back for saying that.
‘Everybody wants to be so concerned about doing things in the right manner, saying the right stuff.
‘If you don’t do that then you create a s***storm, it is a really difficult world to live in.
‘If I understand it right, it is a message, an opinion about human rights and that should be possible to say.’
Lineker’s England teammate at two world cups John Barnes accused the BBC of ‘playing into’ the government’s hands by making the story about their chaotic actions rather than the controversial immigration bill.
Writing in The Mirror, he said: ‘The Tories are quite happy for this distraction.
‘Gary is a football legend to so many. Most people are supporting him because he’s right.’
A leaked email sent to BBC staff has also surfaced on social media showing the Director of Sport Barbara Slater apologising to her team for the continuous chaos which has unravelled at the broadcaster this afternoon.
She thanked staff for their hard work and professionalism despite many boycotting their responsibilities this afternoon in solidarity with Lineker.
Slater said that the BBC ‘understood how unsettling this is for all of you’.
The BBC has reportedly told staff there will be a series of meetings on Monday so they can ‘have their say’ about the fiasco.
With no need to prepare for MOTD tonight, Lineker was free to head to the King Power Stadium this afternoon for the 3pm match between Leicester and Chelsea
Jon Holmes (right), agent of Gary Lineker arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium this afternoon
Gary Lineker was seen outside his London home this morning after fellow presenters and walked out of today’s BBC’s football coverage in a show of solidarity
Confusion over what the BBC’s impartiality guidelines actually mean are thought to have been partly to blame for the chaos that has ensued since Lineker made his ‘Nazi’ jibe.
BBC neutrality has come under recent scrutiny over revelations that its chairman, Richard Sharp – a Conservative Party donor – helped arrange a loan for then Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021, weeks before Sharp was appointed to the BBC post on the government’s recommendation.
Former BBC Director General Greg Dyke said the network ‘undermined its own credibility’ by appearing to bow to government pressure.
Keir Starmer, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, said the BBC was ‘caving in’ to political pressure from Conservative lawmakers.
‘They got this one badly wrong and now they’re very, very exposed,’ he said.
MOTD2 host Mark Chapman pulled out of Radio 5 Live Sport, while Alex Scott boycotted Football Focus
Former Tottenham Hotspur player Jermain Defoe said he would not appear on Match Of The Day 2 on Sunday evening
Director of Sport Barbara Slater apologised to her team for the chaos across the BBC this weekend
Fighting Talk presenter Colin Murray said he will not appear on Radio 5Live today
Kelly Somers Tweeted that she will not be appearing on the BBC on Saturday
Final Score presenter Jason Mohammad said he has informed the BBC that he will not be presenting on BBC One on Saturday
But the BBC’s issue may extend beyond their own employees, with Jurgen Klopp leading a managers and players boycott of the broadcaster this weekend.
The Premier League agreed to let players and managers from the 12 clubs playing on Saturday avoid giving interviews to the programme.
A PFA spokesperson said on the decision: ‘We have been informed that players involved in today’s games will not be asked to participate in interviews with Match of the Day.
‘The PFA have been speaking to members who wanted to take a collective position and to be able to show their support for those who have chosen not to be part of tonight’s programme.
‘During those conversations we made clear that, as their union, we would support all members who might face consequences for choosing not to complete their broadcast commitments.
‘This is a common sense decision that ensures players won’t now be put in that position.’
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