BBC football Gary Lineker

'Growing confidence' former England player will return to Match of the Day.

“Now that process is being reviewed, the independent commissioner has appointed a leading barrister to review that process. But with regards to his appointment, it’s right that that’s done independently and rigorously. “That process is being reviewed again by someone who has been appointed independently. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.” [ Top names including Alan Shearer, Ian Wright and Alex Scott took part in this protest.

Sources close to presenter said to be confident impartiality row will be resolved to his satisfaction in next 24 hours.

and clear guidelines” for how impartiality applies to sports staff and he “wasn’t in the least bit surprised” by the collective response from presenters, pundits and commentators. He described Lineker as the “best sports broadcaster in the world” and said he wanted to see him back on air. He told BBC News on Saturday he was in “listening mode” about how to reform impartiality rules for staff outside the news operation after a “difficult day”. Sharp, who was appointed chair in February 2021, has been embroiled in a row over helping the former prime minister Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan facility in recent months. That process is being reviewed again by someone who has been appointed independently. It added that there “are hopes of a resolution soon, but not all issues are ‘fully resolved’ at this stage”.

Talks between the BBC and Gary Lineker are said to be going well as talks continue about a return to its normal sports broadcasting coverage.The corpo.

Speaking to BBC News Washington on Sunday he said: “I’m very sorry for the disruption today. “To be clear, success for me is: Gary gets 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.” [apologised for the disruption caused](https://talksport.com/football/1359216/bbc-crisis-gary-lineker-sunday-motd-2/) to the broadcaster’s sports programming, but confirmed he will not resign over the Lineker impartiality row. [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/21687174/gary-lineker-match-of-the-day-fa-cup-bbc/) reports that Lineker will be back for the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next weekend and The Times quotes one source saying “The situation is looking far better than it did on Saturday.” [plunged into chaos](https://talksport.com/football/1358590/gary-lineker-news-bbc-trouble-twitter-match-of-the-day/) over the weekend following the decision to take the former England striker off air for his comments likening the government’s migration policy with 1930s Germany. Talks between the BBC and Gary Lineker are said to be going well as talks continue about a return to its normal sports broadcasting coverage.

There are "hopes of a resolution soon, but not all issues are 'fully resolved' at this stage", BBC News said. Football coverage on BBC TV and radio shows ...

"There's a dichotomy between free speech for us and due impartiality for the BBC, we know that, it's where you draw the line. I happen to stand roughly on the same sort of hill as Gary Lineker but we have to understand, if we have stringent opinions, then other alternative and indeed opposite opinions would have to be allowed. "I think they've got to take action pretty quickly. That line has been far too blurred for the staff and the public. We hope that a resolution can be found ASAP." Commentator Guy Mowbray wrote on Twitter: "As yesterday, there will be no 'normal' MOTD(2) programme tonight.

The BBC were forced to pull several of their flagship sporting programmes on Saturday and Sunday after removing Gary Lineker from his role as Match of the ...

“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. Lineker has refused to back down and has received widespread praise for taking a stand on his principles. “Gary and his representatives have been in talks for a number of days and these are ongoing.” BBC director general Tim Davie said last night he was keen to get Lineker back on side. He was pulled from Saturday's Match of the Day as a result with BBC bosses having to make major alterations to their programming over the weekend. BBC managers are also holding talks with employees in the next 24 hours after another day of absolute chaos at the Corporation. Lineker had become embroiled in a row with Conservative MPs over his vocal opposition to the government's Illegal Migration bill. "I support this review and look forward to getting back on air." "Impartiality is important to the BBC. It is also important to the public. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday." It was met with a backlash, as several of Lineker's colleagues boycotted the broadcaster in solidarity.

To this day, the most listened-to programmes on most BBC local radio stations are the football commentaries, phone-ins and discussions. This is really important ...

If the local radio staff say these proposals are a bad thing, you can be certain they absolutely are a bad thing. The irony is that radio is the cheapest thing the BBC does. Local radio is already run on a shoestring and doesn’t pay its staff lavishly, so the new proposals will not save significant money but will reduce the sense of community many get from it. A tiny fraction of that is spent on local radio. To this day, the most listened-to programmes on most BBC local radio stations are the football commentaries, phone-ins and discussions. So the fact that local radio staffers are striking on Wednesday shows just how desperate they are. It supports local community activities, It is often the only local voice that the isolated and lonely in society have. If they withhold their labour in solidarity, they risk being dismissed for breach of contract from a job that they are passionate about and love. It also tells you how much management has underestimated the strength of feeling about this, not only by staff, but by those same listeners we speak to and interact with every single day. This would mean on weekdays after 2pm the BBC would produce 20 afternoon programmes across England and 10 programmes between 6pm to 10pm with a number of local stations sharing programming. “The cuts would see us share programming with other stations throughout afternoons, with regionalised and in some cases, nationalised programming throughout weekends and evenings. The National Union of Journalists members have backed industrial action over the proposals with 83% voting in favour of strikes on a 69% turnout.

Gary Lineker is due to return to hosting sport for the BBC, Sky Sports News understands; Lineker stepped back from his presenting duties on Friday, ...

The BBC and myself are aware that Gary is in favour of such a review. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday. We expect these individuals to avoid taking sides on party political issues or political controversies and to take care when addressing public policy matters." It's heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you. "Also, I'd like to thank Tim Davie for his understanding during this difficult period. Whilst this work is undertaken, the BBC's current social media guidance remains in place. "After a surreal few days, I'm delighted that we have navigated a way through this. "Impartiality is important to the BBC. The BBC has a commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression. It is also important to the public. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air. I apologise for this.

Lineker has since broken his silence with a statement on Twitter. According to Sky News, the BBC will apologise to Lineker.

As a result, the broadcaster’s flagship football highlights show went ahead with no presenters, pundits or commentary. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you. A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. [March 13, 2023] After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this.

Alistair Campbell, politics podcast host and once Tony Blair's director of communications, has been speaking to the BBC about Lineker's return as Match of ...

Quote Message: I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday." The BBC’s social media guidance is designed to help manage these sometimes difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the guidance is up to this task. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you." After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. He has denied any involvement in the arrangement of a loan for Johnson. That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming." Quote Message: A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. Quote Message: That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles. The issue is getting involved in party political matters and we apply that independently." "We’ve had a difficult weekend.

The 62-year-old was taken off air for a tweet comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany.

Whilst this work is undertaken, the BBC’s current social media guidance remains in place. A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you. After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming. I apologise for this.

Broadcaster will hold review over how presenters can use social media after former footballer was taken off air for criticising UK government's immigration ...

It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you. Whilst this work is undertaken, the BBC’s current social media guidance remains in place. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday. A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.”

Director general Tim Davie says the BBC will carry out an independent review into its social media rules.

He is employed by the BBC on a freelance basis. In a statement the board said: "We believe this is the right time to look at the clarity of the BBC's social media guidance and how it is applied. Davie added: "Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend." Lineker is expected to return to host Match of the Day's live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final Lineker said he backed the independent social media review which Davie said will have a "particular focus" on how the guidelines apply to freelancers outside news and current affairs. Gary Lineker to return to Match of the Day as BBC announces social media review

Gary Lineker will resume his duties on the BBC's flagship soccer show after an impartiality storm over his criticism of the government's asylum policy that ...

That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles. 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?” It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate.” “The BBC has a commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression. He added: “There is no huge influx. “Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend,” the statement read.

Gary Lineker will return as presenter of flagship BBC football show Match of the Day, the broadcaster said Monday, ending a crisis sparked by his criticism ...

"Impartiality is important to the BBC. Davie apologised for the disruption to the service, saying he recognised the "potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC's social media guidance. "Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend," said BBC director-general Tim Davie.

Britain's BBC reinstated its highest-paid presenter Gary Lineker on Monday after its suspension of the former England football captain for criticising state ...

He had called the new government hardline policy towards boats "immeasurably cruel." The affair also renewed questions over the credibility of BBC chairman Richard Sharp. He said in a BBC interview on Monday that the suspension had been appropriate and that the presenter had agreed to stick to current editorial guidelines until a new policy is formed. The BBC board, led by chairman Sharp, welcomed the agreement and described impartiality as a "cornerstone" of the BBC. "I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost three decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world," he tweeted, before returning to the topic of immigration. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

Presenter Dan Walker, ex-Manchester United star Gary Neville and Labour MPs were among those reacting to the news of Lineker's return.

It is chaired by someone, Richard Sharp, who is not seen as impartial by many people and who has been missing in action over the last crucial days. [@GaryLineker]will return to his rightful place on [#MOTD], but it should never have come to this. They appointed a BBC chair now subject to investigation over his personal links to the Conservative Party. A review of the BBC’s social media guidelines is clearly needed. It’s been like listening to a dog describe chess.” can we go back to arguing about VAR?”

Gary Lineker will continue as the host of Match of the Day after the BBC reached an agreement with the presenter.

I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday," Lineker said. Lineker is in favour of such a review that specifically pertains to freelancers outside news and current affairs, the statement added. Two other former football stars who were due to present alongside Lineker, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, also refused to appear in solidarity.