Gary Lineker news: Match of the Day star says ‘great to be here’ as he returns to BBC
Lineker returns to hosting duties for Manchester City vs Burnley in the FA Cup
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Your support makes all the difference.Gary Lineker said it was “great to be here” as he returned to the BBC after he was forced off-air last week in a scandal over his comparison of the government to the Nazis over its use of language regarding asylum seekers.
The Match of the Day star returned to the screen to present live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley this evening, having been suspended last week over his comments.
As the pre-match coverage began, Mr Lineker’s co-presenter Alan Shearer addressed the row, saying “how upset we were about all the audiences who missed out” after Match of the Day went ahead with no presenters.
He went on: “It was a really difficult situation for everyone concerned. Through no fault of their own some really great people in TV and radio were put in impossible situations and that wasn’t fair.
“It’s good to get back to normality and talk about football again.”
Mr Linker said: “I echo those sentiments.”
Re-cap: What did Gary Lineker say?
The BBC was sent into meltdown this weekend after presenters and pundits staged a mutiny in solidarity with Gary Lineker, who has been forced off air over a tweet about the government’s asylum crackdown.
Lineker, who has hosted Match of the Day for almost a quarter of a century, has been embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new asylum policy with 1930s Germany.
Emily Atkinson reports:
What did Gary Lineker say that sparked BBC suspension?
Match of the Day host decries ‘immeasurably cruel policy’ in response to Suella Braverman’s immigration bill
Gary Lineker reflects on ‘hugely gratifying’ support before BBC return
Gary Lineker said as he returns to TV screens to present live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley that his support from colleagues has been “hugely gratifying” and “quite beautiful”.
Saturday will mark the 62-year-old broadcaster’s first appearance on the BBC since he was told to step back from hosting Match Of The Day (MOTD) in a row over impartiality.
Ellie Lorizzo reports:
Gary Lineker reflects on ‘hugely gratifying’ support before BBC return
The broadcaster was told to step back from hosting Match Of The Day following a row over impartiality.
‘Back to the Saturday job'
Supporters of Gary Lineker have been sending their best wishes to the football presenter as he makes his return to the BBC today.
The Match of the Day host returns to work to cover the FA Cup after being suspended for criticising the government’s migration plans.
“Back to the Saturday job,” Mr Lineker wrote on Twitter ahead of his appearance, alongside a strong arm emoji.
“Return of the Mack! Have a good one, Gary! one supporter replied. “Enjoy your day,” another added.
Who is presenting Match of the Day tonight?
Mark Chapman, usually the presenter of 5 live Sport, will be presenting Match of the Day this Saturday night.
Many viewers had expected to see Gary Lineker return to his usual position leading the football match highlights programme this Saturday.
The BBC has worked to mend bridges with the presenter, after the row over his criticism of the government’s new policy on asylum seekers. On Monday the BBC hastily reversed its decision to suspend Lineker, after a storm of criticism.
Joseph Rachman reports:
Who is presenting Match of the Day tonight?
Gary Lineker is set to return but won’t be presenting Match of the Day tonight
Next BBC chairman should not be a ‘political appointment’, says ex-news chief
A former head of BBC television news has said the next BBC chairman should not be a “political appointment”.
Roger Mosey, who was also director of sport at the broadcaster, said it would be a “great act of statesmanship” for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to de-politicise the appointment.
Mike Bedigan reports:
Next BBC chairman should not be a ‘political appointment’, says ex-news chief
Former head of BBC television news Roger Mosey said it would be a ‘great act of statesmanship’ for Rishi Sunak to de-politicise the appointment.
Re-cap: how did the Lineker row unfold?
BBC sports presenter Gary Lineker has been embroiled in a row over impartiality after criticising the Government’s Illegal Immigration Bill in a post on Twitter.
The row has made headlines and front pages.
Here is a timeline of how events unfolded:
How the Gary Lineker tweet row unfolded
The 62-year-old sports pundit has been at the centre of a row over impartiality after criticising the Government’s Illegal Immigration Bill.
Why Gary Lineker won’t be on Match of the Day tonight
Match of the Day viewers hoping to see Gary Lineker back at the helm of the Saturday night highlights programme will be kept waiting a little longer, following the BBC row over his criticism of government policy on asylum-seekers.
BBC sports programming fell into crisis last weekend after the presenter of 24 years was asked to step back from Match of the Day, prompting his fellow presenters, pundits and commentators to withdraw their own labour in solidarity.
But despite Lineker’s reinstatement on Monday, the star presenter will not be hosting the highlights show on Saturday night.
Andy Gregory reports:
Why Gary Lineker won’t be on Match of the Day tonight
Lineker reinstated as presenter after BBC football programming fell into crisis
‘Totally disproportionate'
Football presenter Gary Lineker has condemned the row over his suspension by the BBC because of his tweets as “totally disproportionate”.
But he said he received a large amount of support during his dispute with the BBC, which had been gratifying and “quite beautiful”.
It comes as the TV star’s agent said he believed he had a “special arrangement” with the broadcaster that allowed him to make comments about refugees and the small boats crisis.
Jane Dalton reports:
‘Totally disproportionate’: Gary Lineker discusses BBC row in first TV appearance
‘Support from friends and colleagues was quite beautiful,’ says football presenter
What to expect from BBC social media review
BBC director-general Tim Davie announced a review of social media guidelines as he recognised “the potential confusion caused by the grey areas” of the guidance.
Details of the review:
What can we expect from a BBC social media review after the Lineker row?
The review was announced on Monday following Gary Lineker’s reinstatement as the presenter of Match Of The Day.
BBC apologised to staff and viewers
The corporation apologised for a “difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters, and most importantly, our audiences”:
Gary Lineker to return to Match of the Day as BBC apologises
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker will continue as a BBC presenter after the corporation apologised for a “difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters, and most importantly, our audiences”. Lineker did not appear on the football highlights programme over the weekend after he was told to stand down from the role after comparing language used to launch a new government asylum seeker policy to 1930s Germany in a tweet. Fellow pundits, presenters and commentators walked out in “solidarity” with Lineker, seriously impacting the weekend’s sporting coverage. Click here to sign up for our newsletters.
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