Gary Lineker – latest: ‘Growing confidence’ that presenter will return to host BBC show

Talks between BBC and Gary Lineker are believed to be “moving in the right direction” after a second day of disruption to the corporation’s sports programming.

There is “growing confidence” that the former England player will return to host the popular BBC show, according to reports.

According to BBC News, there are hopes a resolution will be reached soon but not all issues are “fully resolved.”

The Women’s Super League Chelsea v Manchester United game on BBC Two kicked off with no pre-match presentation and no pundits tonight.

BBC Radio 5 Live’s football phone-in programme 606 will also not air again tonight, according to Sky News.

Mr 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 government asylum policy with 1930s Germany.

Key Points

• Urgent talks between BBC and Match of the Day host ‘inching forward’

• Gary Lineker row will be ‘resolved in 24 hours’ - reports

• BBC chairman Richard Sharp faces calls to quit over Gary Lineker meltdown

• Gary Lineker ‘will not back down on his word’, eldest son says

• BBC boss Tim Davie says will not resign over Gary Lineker row but admits ‘difficult day’

BBC talks with Lineker ‘moving in right direction’ - reports

Sunday 12 March 2023 20:29 , Thomas Kingsley

Talks between BBC and Gary Lineker are “moving in the right direction” but not all issues have been “fully resolved” at this stage, BBC News reports.

It comes as disruption has entered the second day with Match of the Day 2 to run only 14 minutes with no pundits or commentary.

George Osborne backs Gary Lineker in migrants controversy

04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Former Tory chancellor George Osborne has backed Gary Lineker in the controversy over his comments about Rishi Sunak’s new immigration plan in a major blow to the prime minister.

Mr Osborne backed Mr 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.

Martha McHardy reports.

BBC and Gary Lineker closing in on deal to resolve impartiality row

Who is embattled BBC director-general Tim Davie?

03:32 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The BBC director-general facing calls to resign over the Gary Lineker row is a former Pepsi executive with past experience dealing with controversies at the corporation.

Tim Davie has had a tumultuous week after his decision to suspend Lineker over a tweet about the Government’s asylum policy caused major disruption to the corporation’s sports coverage, as several presenters and reporters withdrew in solidarity with the former England star.

Faced with an open rebellion among the ranks of the corporation’s top sports presenting talent, Mr Davie has already said he wants Lineker “back on air” delivering “world-class sports coverage” together with the BBC.

Read more here.

Who is embattled BBC director-general Tim Davie?

BBC News presenter heckled by passerby on live TV shouting 'bring back Gary Lineker'

02:05 , Martha Mchardy

The BBC must U-turn on Gary Lineker and bow to the principle of free speech

01:45 , Martha Mchardy

The presenter’s words were offensive and wrong but the corporation has handled them badly, says The Independent.

Editorial: The BBC must U-turn on Gary Lineker and bow to free speech

‘I’m proud of my dad for standing by his word’, says Gary Lineker’s son

01:25 , Martha Mchardy

George Lineker told The Sunday Mirror: “Dad is a good man, 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. But he will always speak up for people who don’t have a voice.

“He is passionate about helping refugee charities – he took in two refugees who he is still in touch with and trying to help.

“It means a lot to him to stand up for people whose only hope is to escape a country with only the clothes on their back. That’s why he’s been so firm.

“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.”

Gary Lineker will not ‘back down on his word’, according to his son

01:05 , Martha Mchardy

Gary Lineker’s son has said he thinks the presenter will return to Match Of The Day – but that he would not “back down on his word”, according to reports.

In an interview with The Sunday Mirror, the former England striker’s eldest son George claimed his father had been “a bit disappointed” by the BBC asking him to step back from hosting Saturday’s Match Of The Day after he compared the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany in a tweet.

However, he said Lineker had been “overwhelmed by the support” of fellow pundits who had withdrawn from various BBC sports shows in solidarity with him, particularly his co-presenters Ian Wright and Alan Shearer.

Naomi Clarke reports:

Gary Lineker will not ‘back down on his word’, according to his son

How much is Gary Lineker paid to present Match of the Day?

00:45 , Martha Mchardy

In 2022, Lineker topped the BBC’s highest earners list for the fifth year in a row, taking home £1.35m.

The year before, he was paid £1.36m, having taken a pay cut in 2020 from his previous £1.75m salary. Lineker has presented Match of the Day since 1999, making him the show’s longest running presenter.

Isobel Lewis reports:

How much is Gary Lineker paid as the BBC’s highest earning presenter?

BBC chairman faces fresh scrutiny to resign

00:25 , Martha Mchardy

BBC chairman Richard Sharp is facing growing pressure to resign as the corporation’s policy on impartiality has been challenged after Gary Lineker was told to stand down from presenting Match Of The Day.

Mr Sharp, who was appointed chairman in February 2021, has been embroiled in a cronyism row over helping former prime minister Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan facility in recent months.

An investigation is being undertaken into his appointment but he now faces renewed scrutiny as his position has been brought into question amid the backlash against the BBC’s decision to take Lineker off air for comparing language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany in a tweet.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell both questioned Mr Sharp’s position in light of the Lineker row.

Ms Reeves said on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “He is still in his job. Gary Lineker isn’t able to present the football commentary?”

She added: “The Tories obviously put a huge amount of pressure on the Government to get rid of Gary Lineker, I don’t remember those same Tory MPs crying about impartiality when those revelations about Richard Sharp came out.”

Ms Powell wrote to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer to demand that Mr Sharp’s position is “urgently clarified”, saying his involvement in arranging an £800,000 loan facility for Mr Johnson has “profoundly damaged the perception of the BBC’s impartiality and independence from government”.

She added in her letter: “As the ultimate arbiter of these matters, Richard Sharp’s position, which was already increasingly untenable, needs to be urgently clarified.

“He is the one who should be giving staff, viewers and complainants the confidence that the organisation has acted proportionately and fairly. He is totally unable to perform this function.”

She also asked the minister to clarify when the investigation into Mr Sharp’s appointment would be completed.

Who is embattled BBC director-general Tim Davie?

00:05 , Martha Mchardy

The BBC director-general facing calls to resign over the Gary Lineker row is a former Pepsi executive with past experience dealing with controversies at the corporation.

Tim Davie has had a tumultuous week after his decision to suspend Lineker over a tweet about the Government’s asylum policy caused major disruption to the corporation’s sports coverage, as several presenters and reporters withdrew in solidarity with the former England star.

Faced with open rebellion among the ranks of the corporation’s top sports presenting talent, Mr Davie has already said he wants Lineker “back on air” delivering “world-class sports coverage” together with the BBC.

Luke O’Reilly reports:

Who is embattled BBC director-general Tim Davie?

Gary Lineker will host BBC FA Cup coverage next weekend, according to reports

Sunday 12 March 2023 23:49 , Martha Mchardy

Gary Lineker will host the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next weekend, according to reports.

Mr Lineker has struck a deal, which will reportedly be announced tomorrow, with BBC bosses after being suspended from Match of the Day over an impartiality row.

A TV source told The Sun: “Gary will be back to host the BBC’s FA Cup coverage. A deal has been struck.

“If the BBC have agreed to allow him to keep tweeting his anti-Tory views, it will be seen as a major victory for Gary, but the details of the deal are unclear at this stage.”

It is unclear whether the deal will include Mr Lineker’s return to presenting Match of the Day.

Rishi Sunak suffers major blow after George Osborne backs Gary Lineker in migrants controversy

Sunday 12 March 2023 23:45 , Martha Mchardy

Former Tory chancellor George Osborne has backed Gary Lineker in the controversy over his comments about Rishi Sunak’s new immigration plan in a major blow to the prime minister.

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.

Martha McHardy reports:

George Osborne backs Gary Lineker in migrants controversy

Rishi Sunak declines to back BBC chairman Richard Sharp

Sunday 12 March 2023 23:25 , Martha Mchardy

Rishi Sunak has declined to offer his backing to BBC Chairman Richard Sharp after he failed to properly share details of his involvement in facilitating an £800,000 loan for Boris Johnson when he was at No 10.

The prime minister stressed that his appointment was made by his predecessor Boris Johnson.

Travelling to San Diego, Mr Sunak told reporters: “Richard Sharp went through an independent appointments process at the time that I had nothing to do with - he was appointed before I was prime minister, but also the Chair of Publics appointments has asked, a leading KC, has asked to review - to re-review - that appointments process so there is not much I can say more that’s ongoing, but it’s right in that process concludes.

“It gives people the confidence that they need.”

Mr Sharp is facing pressure to resign after a row between Gary Lineker and the BBC broke out over impartiality.

Richard Sharp is the former boss of Rishi Sunak during his Goldman Sachs career.

Another silent Match of the Day airs

Sunday 12 March 2023 22:43 , Martha Mchardy

Another silent edition of Match of the Day Two has aired on BBC One amid a walkout over a row between Gary Lineker and the BBC.

The BBC One show was originally scheduled to last an hour and 15 minutes, but it was reduced to 15 minutes and the classic theme song did not play at the beginning.

A continuity announcer introduced the programme, saying: “Now on BBC One, sorry we’re not able to show our normal Match Of The Day 2 including commentary tonight, but here’s the best action from today’s Premier League matches.”

It comes as several presenters and reporters are boycotting the show in solidarity with Gary Lineker after the Match of the Day presenter was stood down on Friday.

Former England internationals Alan Shearer and Ian Wright announced on Friday their boycott of this weekend’s Match Of The Day.

What did Gary Lineker tweet?

Sunday 12 March 2023 22:30 , Martha Mchardy

On Tuesday, Lineker wrote on Twitter about a video in which home secretary Suella Braverman unveiled plans to stop migrants crossing the Channel on small boats and said the UK is being “overwhelmed”.

Ms Braverman, who was previously chastised for comparing migrant crossings to an “invasion”, has been heavily criticised for her use of language around the matter.

“Good heavens, this is beyond awful,” Lineker wrote in response to the video.

Replying to the sports broadcaster, another Twitter user described his comment as “out of order”, adding that it was “easy to pontificate when it doesn’t affect you”.

Lineker responded: “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?”

The comparison saw Lineker suspended from the helm of Match of the Day – prompting several fellow pundits, including Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, and Alex Scott, to announce they would not be taking part in solidarity with the former England striker.

We can all get behind the Match of the Day walkout

Sunday 12 March 2023 22:10 , Martha Mchardy

It doesn’t matter if you’re red or blue – we can all get behind the Match of the Day walkout, says Clare Morrison.

Opinion: We can all get behind the Match of the Day walkout

How the Gary Lineker and Match of the Day chaos unfolded

Sunday 12 March 2023 22:05 , Martha Mchardy

The BBC’s decision to stand Lineker down from its flagship football highlights programme caused a pundit boycott and left producers scrambling to keep the show alive, reports Miguel Delaney.

How Match of the Day fell apart within ‘minutes’

Gary Lineker’s row with BBC will be resolved in next 24 hours - reports

Sunday 12 March 2023 21:46 , Martha Mchardy

Gary Lineker’s row with the BBC will be resolved to his satisfaction in the next 24 hours, according to Sky News.

According to reports, a statement on the Lineker issue could be released as early as tomorrow morning.

Former BBC director-general believes Tim Davie will survive Lineker row

Sunday 12 March 2023 20:35 , Martha Mchardy

Former BBC director-general Mark Thompson said he “absolutely hopes” and “believes” Tim Davie will survive the impartiality row surrounding Lineker.

Asked by Kuenssberg whether he thinks the presenter will be back on air by Sunday night, he replied: “I hope so.”

The BBC’s decision on Friday to stand Lineker down from presenting Match Of The Day, after he compared language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany in a tweet, has prompted a growing number of its sports presenters to boycott their shows.

Lineker told reporters that he “can’t say anything” as they questioned him on the future of his presenting career when he left his home in Barnes, south-west London, to walk his dog on Sunday morning.

Among the questions he was asked was whether he had spoken to BBC Director-General Tim Davie overnight, but provided no response.

Mr Davie has apologised for the disruption to the sporting schedule this weekend but said he will not resign.

BBC urged to get a ‘grip’ as Match of the Day 2 airs without presenters

Sunday 12 March 2023 20:15 , Martha Mchardy

The BBC has been urged to get a “grip” of the impartiality row over Gary Lineker as its sports coverage faced disruption for a second consecutive day.

Match Of The Day aired for only 20 minutes on Saturday without accompanying commentary or analysis from pundits following a boycott in “solidarity” with former England player Lineker.

Sunday’s Match Of The Day 2 will run for a reduced 15 minutes, while coverage of the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Manchester United aired without a pre-match presentation and with world feed commentary used instead of regular BBC presenters.

Uncertainty over Match Of The Day 2 grew yesterday after main presenter Mark Chapman was absent from his BBC radio duties and Jermain Defoe announced he had pulled out of appearing as a pundit on the highlights show.

For a second day, Radio 5 Live also replaced its usual live sports coverage with pre-recorded content, such as the podcast Sport’s Strangest Crimes.

The station did provide match commentary from its two scheduled Premier League games on Sunday afternoon but the sports presenter admitted it had been a “very difficult decision” to come on air.

Ahead of the Fulham game against Arsenal, Alistair Bruce-Ball said: “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.”

Former BBC executive Peter Salmon, who was previously controller of BBC One and director of sport, told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg the situation is “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.”

Former BBC director-general Mark Thompson said he “absolutely hopes” and “believes” Mr Davie will survive the impartiality row surrounding Lineker.

Gary Lineker row will be ‘resolved in 24 hours’ - reports

Sunday 12 March 2023 19:57 , Thomas Kingsley

Sources close to Gary Lineker say they are increasingly confident the matter will be resolved to his satisfaction in the next 24 hours, Sky News reports.

It comes as Match of the Day 2 will last just 14 minutes tonight after a rare 20 minute episode on Saturday.

BBC chair Richard Sharp faces fresh scrutiny amid Gary Lineker impartiality row

Sunday 12 March 2023 19:55 , Martha Mchardy

BBC chairman Richard Sharp is facing growing pressure to resign as the corporation’s policy on impartiality has been challenged after Gary Lineker was told to stand down from presenting Match Of The Day.

Mr Sharp, who was appointed chairman in February 2021, has been embroiled in a cronyism row over helping former prime minister Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan facility in recent months.

Naomi Clarke reports:

BBC chair Richard Sharp faces fresh scrutiny amid Gary Lineker impartiality row

Who has lent their support to Gary Lineker amid BBC row?

Sunday 12 March 2023 19:35 , Martha Mchardy

On social media, many famous friends and fans of Lineker have shown support for the presenter using hashtags such as “#IStandWithGary”.

Here, we give you a list of all the celebrities who have supported Gary Lineker.

Carol Vorderman

Presenter Carol Vorderman has posted several messages using the hashtag “#IStandWithGary”.

On Saturday, Vorderman tweeted that she was at the BBC’s headquarters in London “where there is a statue of George Orwell and his words”.

Her post included the quote: “If Liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”

Self Esteem

Singer Self Esteem – whose real name is Rebecca Lucy Taylor – showed her support for Lineker during her sold-out show at London’s Eventim Apollo on Saturday night.

Returning for her encore, the “I Do This All The Time” singer appeared on stage in a “Free Gary” t-shirt.

In a photo shared on Instagram, she wrote: “Thank you London. Solidarity @garylineker.”

Dawn French

Actor and comedian Dawn French retweeted a post from a Twitter user which read: “Shakespeare saying stand with Gary Lineker. As only he can”.

The post quoted a passage from Shakespeare’s play Sir Thomas More.

Above the retweeted post, French added: “This. #IStandWithGaryLineker.”

Piers Morgan

Despite saying he “did not agree” with Lineker’s tweet, Piers Morgan surprised social media users as he offered support for the Match of the Day presenter.

“Gary didn’t say any of it on the BBC, and isn’t even a BBC employee… I didn’t agree with what he said, but so what? It’s HIS opinion.”

Fatboy Slim

During his show at Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse on Friday, DJ Fatboy Slim – real name Norman Cook – projected Lineker’s face on screen as part of the visuals for his set.

Lineker’s face was met with loud cheers, with Cook writing on social media: “Enough respect #imwithgary.”

Philip Pullman

Writer Philip Pullman lent his support to Lineker, Wright and Shearer.

He tweeted: “I hope the BBC finds this all very difficult. Meanwhile, my admiration for Gary Lineker, Ian Wright, and Alan Shearer is unbounded.”

Kazuo Ishiguro

Nobel Literature laureate and football fan Kazuo Ishiguro also backed Lineker.

“I think he’s become one of the really important cultural figures for the country. I think he stands for really good things. I’m fully behind him on this”, he wrote.

Emily Maitlis

Former BBC Newsnight host Emily Maitlis, who was reprimanded by the broadcaster for retweeting a post from Piers Morgan criticising the government’s response to the pandemic, said the corporation could face a “bigger battle” following its decision.

“I’m not sure when they suggested to Gary Lineker he step back from #MOTD the BBC realised it might be starting a much much bigger battle”, she wrote.

Could Gary Lineker be Britain’s Volodymyr Zelensky?

Sunday 12 March 2023 19:10 , Martha Mchardy

Picture the reaction if a parliamentary by-election occurred now and Lineker threw his hat in the ring, says Simon Walters.

Fantasy politics: Could Gary Lineker be Britain’s Volodymyr Zelensky?

Match of the Day 2 to last 14 minutes

Sunday 12 March 2023 18:50 , Martha Mchardy

Match of the Day 2 coverage will last for only 14 minutes tonight as the row between Gary Lineker and the BBC continues.

The Women’s Super League Chelsea v Manchester United game on BBC Two kicked off with no pre-match presentation and no pundits tonight.

BBC Radio 5 Live’s football phone-in programme 606 will also not air again tonight, according to Sky News.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan says Gary Lineker was 'right' to criticise small boats plan

Sunday 12 March 2023 18:35 , Martha Mchardy

Box of chocolates left on Gary Lineker’s doorstep, thanking him for his stance on refugees

Sunday 12 March 2023 18:15 , Martha Mchardy

A box of chocolates and a thank you card have been left on Gary Lineker’s doorstep, thanking him for his stance on refugees.

Chris Hoydon, 42, who lives nearby, arrived with his partner and son and left raspberry and champagne truffles and a card for the former England footballer and Match Of The Day pundit.

He told PA news agency: “The letter says ‘thank you for showing such leadership on a really important issue.’

“We live locally and don’t know him at all, but we really like him and I am a really passionate believer in refugee rights and the rights of asylum seekers.

“My dad used to work for the BBC and I really believe in the BBC, but it is ridiculous as it has no effect on impartiality.

“There have been plenty of examples of people in the BBC who have been clear about their politics. If he had come out in favour of Government policy he would not have been monstered like this. Of course he wouldn’t have, it is ridiculous.”

BBC ‘make it difficult’ to defend them following Gary Lineker controversy, Ed Balls says

Sunday 12 March 2023 17:55 , Martha Mchardy

The BBC “make it difficult” to defend them following the Gary Lineker controversy, Ed Balls said.

Mr Balls, who was shadow chancellor between 2011-2015, said: “I’m one of those people who hates the far right and the hard left attacking the BBC.

“I want to defend the BBC as our impartial broadcaster but sometimes they make it difficult,” he told Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show while discussing the Gary Lineker controversy.

Urgent talks between BBC and Gary Lineker ‘inching forward’ as schedule chaos continues

Sunday 12 March 2023 17:35 , Martha Mchardy

The BBC is locked in urgent talks with Gary Lineker to get him back in work and end the staff boycott which has crippled the broadcaster’s weekend sports schedule, The Independent understands.

Senior sources at the BBC said that talks with the Match of the Day host were “inching forward”, with the aim of getting Lineker back to work this week. A breakthrough would be announced immediately if reached.

BBC director general Tim Davie has made it clear he wants to see the presenter back on air, after he was suspended on Friday for comparing the government’s asylum crackdown to Nazi Germany.

Thomas Kingsley reports:

Urgent talks between BBC and Lineker ‘inching forward’ as schedule chaos continues

Ed Balls ‘doesn’t agree’ with language used by Gary Lineker

Sunday 12 March 2023 17:15 , Martha Mchardy

Ed Balls ‘doesn’t agree’ with language used by Gary Lineker, he told Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show today.

The former shadow chancellor said: “I don’t agree with the way which Gary Lineker used language about the 1930s. I don’t think on the BBC you have a right to unfettered free speech, but they way they responded by taking him off air, and also the inconsistency of treating Gary Lineker, a sports broadcaster in that way, while, for example, Alan Sugar gets away with far more blatant party political statements.

“I mean, its ridiculous. They have got to get this sorted out.”

BBC chairman might prove ‘collateral damage' from the Lineker controversy, George Osborne says

Sunday 12 March 2023 16:55 , Martha Mchardy

Former Tory chancellor George Osborne said Richard Sharp might prove “collateral damage” from the Lineker controversy, but stopped short of calling for him to quit.

“The chairman of the BBC should be there to defend the BBC, come thick or thin, against the government and Richard’s got to show in the next couple of days he can do that, and perhaps broker some kind of deal,” he told Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show.

Position of BBC chairman ‘totally untenable’, says Ed Balls

Sunday 12 March 2023 16:35 , Martha Mchardy

The position of the BBC chairman is “totally untenable”, Ed Balls has said.

The former shadow chancellor said the position of the BBC chairman Richard Sharp has “become totally untenable”, during an interview on Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show.

Mr Balls said niether BBC director general Tim Davie or chancellor Jeremy Hunt were “willing to defend the position of Richard Sharp.”

“It’s been a catastrophic couple of days for the BBC”, Mr Balls said.

George Osbourne condemns ‘language used on immigration by some Conservatives'

Sunday 12 March 2023 16:15 , Emily Atkinson

Former Tory chancellor George Osborne has 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.”

Women’s Super League match kicks off without pre-match presentation

Sunday 12 March 2023 16:05 , Emily Atkinson

The Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Manchester United kicked off on BBC Two earlier with no pre-match presentation as the broadcaster’s sporting programming for TV and radio continues to be disrupted over the Gary Lineker impartiality row.

The match is being aired live alongside world feed commentary by football commentator Nigel Adderley.

A continuity announcer introduced the match, saying: “Live women’s Super League football now on BBC Two Chelsea vs. Manchester United.”

The BBC has gone nuts, says Nick Ferrari in show of support for Gary Lineker

Sunday 12 March 2023 15:55 , Emily Atkinson

Broadcasting veteran Nick Ferrari has pledged his support to Gary Lineker, as the former England striker’s row with the BBC continues.

Tweeting this afternoon, the LBC host said: “Having been a Leicester City fan for 50 plus years, I’ve supported Gary Lineker since 1978. And while I question his interpretation of history, I support him now. The BBC has gone nuts.”

Royal National Institute of Blind People attacks BBC over ‘unacceptable’ removal of MOTD commentary

Sunday 12 March 2023 15:45 , Emily Atkinson

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.”

Urgent talks between BBC and Match of the Day host ‘inching forward’

Sunday 12 March 2023 15:25 , Emily Atkinson

Urgent talks between the BBC and Gary Lineker are underway and are inching forward, The Independent understands.

Senior sources at the BBC said the talks aim at getting the Match of the Day host back to work this week. If an agreement is reached, the breakthrough would be announced immediately.

BBC director-general Tim Davie has made his view clear that he wants to see the Match of the Day host back on air, saying last night: “Success for me is getting Gary back on air and together we are giving to the audiences that world-class sports coverage which, as I say, I’m sorry we haven’t been able to deliver today”.

Watch: Gary Lineker admitted tweet at centre of BBC row was 'step too far, claims fellow broadcaster

Sunday 12 March 2023 15:25 , Emily Atkinson

‘We are here to provide our football service to you, our audience’

Sunday 12 March 2023 15:00 , Emily Atkinson

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.”

BBC star ‘should not apologise for being a good person’, says son

Sunday 12 March 2023 14:40 , Emily Atkinson

Gary Lineker’s eldest son has tweeted in defence of his father, saying he should not feel pressured to apologise “for being a good person.”

George Lineker tweeted: “Proud of the old man after a busy few days.

“Shouldn’t need to apologise for being a good person and standing by his word.

“The reaction of the public has been overwhelming. Thanks for the support.”

Watch: Glimpse of GB News broadcast of 'alternative' Match Of The Day

Sunday 12 March 2023 14:20 , Emily Atkinson

‘Sickening’: Tory backlash over plan to detain children arriving on small boats

Sunday 12 March 2023 14:00 , Emily Atkinson

Children who arrive in the UK on small boats will be detained in immigration centres under Rishi Sunak’s plan to tackle the crisis, it has emerged – sparking a backlash among senior Conservatives.

Campaigners, MPs and have pointed out that the bill allows the detention of families with children, reversing a ban introduced by the David Cameron-led coalition government a decade ago.

The Refugee Council and other experts fear the legislation could allow the deportation of unaccompanied children if returning them to their country of origin is deemed safe – an idea denied by government.

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has the story:

‘Sickening’: Tory backlash over small boats plan to detain children

Gary Lineker refuses to respond to questions on role at BBC

Sunday 12 March 2023 13:44 , Emily Atkinson

Gary Lineker said “I can’t say anything” to questions from reporters when he left his home in Barnes, south-west London, to walk his dog on Sunday morning.

He was asked “do you still want to work for the BBC?”, “have you spoken to Tim Davie overnight?”, “have you had discussions with BT or Sky?” and “is this the end of your presenting career?”, but provided no response.

He was dressed in blue jeans, a blue zipped jumper and walking boots, and left for a nearby park.

BBC wants to ‘pick and choose’ when presenters can be impartial, says John Barnes

Sunday 12 March 2023 13:40 , Emily Atkinson

The BBC wants to “pick and choose” when its presenters can be impartial, former England football star John Barnes has said.

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.”

Voices: This wasn’t Match of the Day - just another symbol of broken Britain.

Sunday 12 March 2023 13:20 , Emily Atkinson

There were no words. Which was apt in its own way, because when people can’t speak freely, there often aren’t. There were noises, the sound of various crowds. But there was not even the most iconic theme tune in sports broadcasting. Which is just as well, because this wasn’t Match of the Day. It was a 20-minute highlights package stitched together, looking like the kind of cheap production of goals from a second-rate European league that was waiting for some interchangeable, inoffensive song to be added on before it was broadcast.

Out senior football writer Richard Jolly on the burgeoning impartiality row between Gary Lineker and the BBC:

This wasn’t Match of the Day - just another symbol of broken Britain

Lineker may have ‘outgrown’ role at BBC, says former boss

Sunday 12 March 2023 13:05 , Emily Atkinson

A former BBC executive has described Gary Lineker as a “brilliant” broadcaster but questioned if he has “outgrown” his role at the BBC.

Peter Salmon, who among his many roles was previously the controller of BBC One and director of sport, said the fallout of the impartiality row surrounding the former England footballer is a “mess” and feels director general Tim Davie needs to get a “grip” of the situation.

Discussing Lineker‘s role while on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Salmon said: “It’s complex and he’s a major figure. 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 this weekend due to pundits walking out in solidarity with Lineker, 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.”

Limited Match of the Day episode watched by 2.6m

Sunday 12 March 2023 12:50 , Emily Atkinson

Saturday night’s limited Match Of The Day (MOTD) was watched by 2.6m viewers, according to BBC News.

The football highlights programme was viewed by nearly half a million more than last Saturday’s show, which had an audience of 2.1 million, according to BARB overnight figures.

However, the show was radically different as it aired for only 20 minutes and did not include accompanying commentary or analysis from pundits or even its famous theme tune - instead broadcasting only short highlight clips of the day’s matches.

Sunday 12 March 2023 12:49 , Katy Clifton

Gary Lineker said “I can’t say anything” to questions from reporters when he left his home in Barnes, south-west London, to walk his dog on Sunday morning.

He was asked “do you still want to work for the BBC?”, “have you spoken to Tim Davie overnight?”, “have you had discussions with BT or Sky?” and “is this the end of your presenting career?”, but provided no response.

He was dressed in blue jeans, a blue zipped jumper and walking boots, and left for a nearby park.

Watch: Rachel Reeves says the BBC pulling Gary Lineker off the air was 'out of proportion'

Sunday 12 March 2023 12:35 , Emily Atkinson

‘Cruelty without purpose’: Plan to detain children arriving on small boats sparks anger

Sunday 12 March 2023 12:20 , Emily Atkinson

Children who arrive in the UK on small boats will be detained in immigration centres under Rishi Sunak’s plan to tackle the crisis, it has emerged – sparking outrage among charities and concern among Tory MPs.

A coalition of more than 350 charities, businesses and unions have condemned home secretary Suella Braverman’s Illegal Migration Bill, as the Archbishop of York said it “amounts to cruelty without purpose”.

Campaigners have pointed out that the bill allows the detention of families with children, reversing a ban introduced by the David Cameron-led coalition government a decade ago.

Our political correspondent Adam Forrest has more:

Plan to detain children arriving on small boats denounced as ‘sickening’

What we know of BBC disruption so far

Sunday 12 March 2023 12:05 , Emily Atkinson

Following the heavily limited edition of Match of the Day on Saturday, it was announced this morning that both Match of the Day 2 and the coverage of the Women’s Super League match would follow a “much reduced” format today.

Saturday’s episode of Match of the Day lasted “just 20 minutes” - with no presenter, pundits, commentary or interviews.

Yesterday’s disruption did not stop there, however, as both Football Focus and Final Score were pulled at the eleventh hour.

Bargain Hunt was broadcast in place of Football Focus on BBC One at noon on Saturday, while The Repair Shop was due to run instead of Final Score at 4.30pm.

BBC Radio 5 Live was also impacted, with host Mark Chapman relinquishing the helm of both 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk.

Pre-recorded content replaced the live broadcasts, with Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast aired during Fighting Talk’s slot followed by The Footballer’s Football Podcast which played on Radio 5 Live when 5 Live Sport would have aired.

What did Gary Lineker tweet?

Sunday 12 March 2023 11:50 , Emily Atkinson

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.

The comparison saw Lineker suspended from the helm of the popular BBC show – prompting several fellow pundits, including Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, and Alex Scott, to announce they would not be taking part in solidarity with the former England striker.

More on this story here:

What did Gary Lineker tweet?

Tory MP hails ‘best MOTD in years’ after Lineker pulled from BBC show

Sunday 12 March 2023 11:38 , Emily Atkinson

A Conservative MP hailed the “best Match of the Day episode in years” after Gary Lineker was pulled from the BBC show for criticising the government’s immigration policy.

Lineker was stood down from presenting BBC Sport’s flagship programme after a row with hierarchy over his comments on Twitter in which he compared the language used in the Tories’ new “stop the boats” policy with Germany in the 1930s.

Match of the Day went ahead in a reduced 20-minute highlights-only format without a studio presentation or post-match interviews after staff across a raft of the BBC’s sports coverage withdraw in solidarity with Lineker’s right to express his views.

Lawrence Ostlere has more:

Tory MP hails ‘best MOTD in years’ after Lineker pulled from BBC show

BBC must maintain reputation for independence and impartiality, says Hunt

Sunday 12 March 2023 11:24 , Emily Atkinson

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has said he feels the main focus on the Gary Lineker row should be for the BBC to maintain its “reputation for independence and impartiality”.

The Conservative MP noted he is one of the figures that is scrutinised by the broadcaster on the behalf of the public and so thinks “obviously it isn’t for me to say how the BBC does that, but it’s very important it does”.

Appearing on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Hunt said: “I don’t want to say anything other than making sure the BBC maintains its reputation for independence and impartiality is the outcome that matters most.

“Now, I can disagree with Gary Lineker on small boats, as I do profoundly. But what really matters in all of this is that when you’re interviewing me, people know that you’re doing it on behalf of the public, and not with a political motive … that is the thing that needs to be protected.”

Watch: BBC News presenter heckled by passerby on live TV shouting ‘bring back Gary Lineker’

Sunday 12 March 2023 10:43 , Emily Atkinson

BBC star’s comparison to 1930s Germany ‘deeply inappropriate and tasteless’, says Tory MP

Sunday 12 March 2023 10:30 , Emily Atkinson

Conservative MP Simon Clarke said he disagrees “very profoundly” with what Gary Lineker said in the tweet that sparked the row.

Speaking on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Clarke said: “I disagree very profoundly with what Gary Lineker said. I think the comparisons to 1930s as he’s made are deeply inappropriate and actually very tasteless.”

Asked why it matters what a sports presenter says, the MP replied: “Mr Lineker has a huge reach and the reality is that he is obviously operating on a publicly-funded broadcaster, he is someone whose platform largely derives from his role at the BBC, he’s saying things which are partisan and I think which are also deeply unfair.”

He called the situation a “mess” and said the BBC needs to resolve “ambiguity” in its guidelines.

Mr Clarke continued: “I don’t like cancel culture of any kind, I don’t like to see people being taken off air.

“I think there is a slight irony here and a slight hypocrisy because obviously I wonder how many of the same people calling for Gary Lineker to be restored were calling for Jeremy Clarkson a few weeks ago to be removed.”

BBC chairman Richard Sharp faces calls to quit over Gary Lineker meltdown

Sunday 12 March 2023 10:12 , Emily Atkinson

BBC chairman Richard Sharp is facing growing calls to resign amid the Gary Lineker impartiality row which has sparked an unprecedented crisis at the corporation.

Roger Bolton, a former senior executive at the BBC, joined calls from opposition parties and senior media figures for Mr Sharp to quit.

Mr Bolton said the chairman was compromised by the investigation into whether he failed to properly share details of his involvement in facilitating an £800,000 loan for Boris Johnson when he was at No 10.

“The BBC chairman now needs to resign,” he told GB News. “The very fact that he can’t speak out on the subject and defend the BBC and define impartiality, as the chairman of the BBC, means he can’t do his job. So, I’m afraid he should go.”

More on this from our political correspondent Adam Forrest here:

BBC chairman Richard Sharp faces calls to quit over Gary Lineker meltdown

Breaking: Match of the Day 2 and Women’s Super League match coverage to be ‘much reduced’

Sunday 12 March 2023 10:10 , Emily Atkinson

Both Match of the Day 2 and the coverage of the Women’s Super League match will follow a “much reduced” format today, according to a BBC editor.

Tweeting this morning, BBC Sports Editor Dan Roan, who gives an update on the channel’s schedules, said: “At this stage BBC expecting the planned Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Manchester United this afternoon to be on BBC2, but with no pre-match presentation.

“Expecting Match of the Day 2 to follow similar much-reduced format to Match of the Day last night.”

Gary Lineker’s tweets a ‘technical breach’ of guidelines, says former BBC director general

Sunday 12 March 2023 09:58 , Emily Atkinson

Mark Thompson, former BBC director general, said he believes Gary Lineker’s tweets constitute a “technical breach” of the impartiality guidelines “on the face of it.”

He said the row sparked by the sports presenter’s remarks was a “very unhappy accident” that was now “distracting from the actual issue of the men, women and children in those boats.”

Labour accuses Tories of ‘putting pressure’ on BBC to take Gary Lineker off air

Sunday 12 March 2023 09:43 , Emily Atkinson

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has criticised Tory MPs for “putting pressure” on the BBC to take Gary Lineker off air.

She told Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday programme: “I wouldn’t have used the language that Gary Lineker used. But do I think he should be taken off TV from doing commentary on the football? No, I don’t. And I think that was out of proportion.”

She said Tory MPs had nothing to say when BBC chairman Richard Sharp was found to have helped facilitate a loan for Boris Johnson.

Ms Reeves added: “The people who I think are at fault here are the Conservative MPs and ministers who lined up to criticise Gary Lineker, putting pressure on the BBC to take him off air.

“That is the priority now of the Conservatives - some culture war, rather than the interests and the concerns of people in their day-to-day lives. That is just all wrong.”

Hunt rows back from demanding Linker apology

Sunday 12 March 2023 09:30 , Emily Atkinson

Jeremy Hunt has rowed back from demanding an apology for Gary Lineker’s comments.

Asked if he still thought the TV pundit should apologise, the Chancellor 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.”

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”.

‘People’s confidence’ should be restored in BBC, says chancellor

Sunday 12 March 2023 09:10 , Emily Atkinson

The chancellor said “people’s confidence” should be restored in knowing the BBC has no “political agenda” when he was asked about the Gary Lineker row.

Jeremy Hunt, speaking to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky News, said he “personally profoundly disagree(s)” with the comments the TV pundit made.

But, he said, “we need to make sure that what comes out of this is that people’s confidence in the impartiality of the BBC is restored”.

He denied that the public’s confidence in this has been compromised by the dispute, adding: “The central thing that people want to know is that there isn’t any kind of political agenda in the way the BBC goes about its business, which I’m not saying there is, but that is the confidence people need to have.”

Voices: ‘BBC boss should use Match of the Day’s 20-minute silence to consider if row could have been handled any worse'

Sunday 12 March 2023 08:50 , Emily Atkinson

Match of the Day has certainly had its share of moments, in the last sixty years, but none like this, writes Tom Peck.

The BBC have had its share of embarrassments too, but at least for the most part, they’ve taken years if not decades to come out. This was a humiliation in real time.

MOTD’s 20-minute silence shows row couldn’t have been handled any worse

Watch: BBC boss says Gary Lineker fallout is 'real blow' to programming

Sunday 12 March 2023 08:30 , Emily Atkinson

Family hope song in support of Gary Lineker sparks conversations over impartiality

Sunday 12 March 2023 08:10 , Emily Atkinson

A family who have penned a viral song over the Match Of The Day theme tune in support of Gary Lineker hope it generates “worthwhile” discussions about impartiality.

History lecturer Ben Marsh, 46, his wife Danielle, 45, an administrator, and their children - Alfie, 16, Thomas, 15, Ella, 13, and Tess, 11 - posted a video of their song to Twitter on Friday, with the hashtag #IStandWithGary.

The video - which was uploaded to Twitter on Friday night and has more than 600,000 views and over 12,000 likes - sees Ella playing the trumpet, Alfie, the bass, Thomas, the drum, Tess the triangle and Mr Marsh playing the guitar.

Speaking to the PA news agency, Mr Marsh said: “It almost feels like something worthwhile may come out of the whole Gary Lineker episode because it is ridiculous for the media and everyone to be so obsessed with one celebrity sporting figure and not the substantive issue of migration policy which should have had much more airtime.

“But now it feels like we’ve kind of come through the Lineker thing - almost to a wider set of discussions about the public sphere.”

ICYM: BBC’s reputation ‘shot to pieces’, says Labour MP Richard Burgon

Sunday 12 March 2023 07:50 , Emily Atkinson

Richard Burgon - Labour MP for Leeds East - has labelled the BBC’s reputation as being “shot to pieces”, expressing his support for Gary Lineker via Twitter.

“The BBC’s credibility has been shot to pieces in the past 24 hours”, the tweet read.

“As part of rebuilding that, Gary Lineker should, of course, be reinstated to Match of the Day. But the BBC must go much further.

“The BBC Chair Richard Sharp, who’s donated £400,000 to the Tories, needs to go.”

Decision to take Gary Lineker off Match of the Day was mistaken, says ex-BBC boss

Sunday 12 March 2023 07:30 , Shweta Sharma

The former director-general of the BBC said the decision to take Gary Lineker off air was “mistaken”.

Asked whether Mr Lineker’s tweet over the government’s asylum seeker policy was acceptable, Greg Dyke told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We live in a world of freedom of speech and therefore, yes. He didn’t broadcast it on the BBC, it was a tweet he did privately.”

Mr Dyke went on to say: “I think what the BBC did yesterday was mistaken. And I’ve over the years since I left the BBC never gone public criticising the leadership of the BBC and the decisions they take, because I know what a difficult job it is, and difficult decisions have to be taken.”

But, he said, the precedent at the corporation is that “news and current affairs employees are expected to be impartial and not the rest”.

Letters to the editor: Gary Lineker should have the right to express his views

Sunday 12 March 2023 06:30 , Shweta Sharma

Read our letters to the editor on the Gary Lineker controversy.

Letters: Gary Lineker should have the right to express his views

Gary Lineker ‘will not back down on his word’, eldest son says

Sunday 12 March 2023 05:30 , Shweta Sharma

Gary Lineker‘s son has said he thinks the sports presenter will return to Match Of The Day - but that he would not “back down on his word”, according to reports.

In an interview with The Sunday Mirror, the former England player’s eldest son George claimed his father had been “a bit disappointed” by the BBC asking him to step back from hosting Saturday’s Match Of The Day (MOTD) after he compared the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany in a tweet.

However, he said Lineker had been “overwhelmed by the support” of fellow pundits who had withdrawn from various BBC sports shows in solidarity with him, particularly his MOTD co-presenters Ian Wright and Alan Shearer.

George Lineker told The Sunday Mirror: “Dad is a good man, 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. But he will always speak up for people who don’t have a voice.

“He is passionate about helping refugee charities - he took in two refugees who he is still in touch with and trying to help.

“It means a lot to him to stand up for people whose only hope is to escape a country with only the clothes on their back. That’s why he’s been so firm.

“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.”

Exclusive: BBC fears it cannot sack Lineker or force him to follow social media rules

Sunday 12 March 2023 04:24 , Shweta Sharma

The BBC fears it cannot sack Gary Lineker or force him to follow social media rules on impartiality because of ambiguities in his contract, The Independent understands.

The corporation would be forced to pay millions if they wanted to oust Lineker and would probably lose any legal claim brought by the Match of the Day presenter, senior figures believe.

Lineker, who was forced off air after comparing the government’s asylum policy to language used in 1930s Germany, is understood to be on a two-year contract negotiated before current director general Tim Davie was appointed.

My colleague Joe Middleton brings you an exclusive report.

BBC fears it cannot sack Lineker or force him to follow social media rules