BBC have agreed a truce with Match Of The Day presenter, Gary Lineker following a weekend of controversy and walkouts.
BBC initially decided to support Lineker following his controversial Twitter comments comparing the language of the UK Government’s Illegal Migration Bill to that “… not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 1930s.”
Several furious Conservative MPs however heaped pressure upon BBC to act and the broadcaster opted to effectively suspend Lineker last Friday (10 March), which triggered anger from within BBC and wider public.
BBC eventually were forced to do a u-turn and negotiated with Lineker over his return to his presenting duties, with the 62 year-old on Twitter praising his BBC Sport colleagues for their ‘remarkable show of solidarity.’
After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming. 1/4
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023
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. 2/4
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023
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. 3/4
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023
Linker also tweeted that he believes the UK remains ‘predominantly tolerant,” with “welcoming and generous people.”
We remain a country of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous people. Thank you. ❤️ 4/4
— Gary Lineker ?? (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023
BBC’s Director General, Tim Davie added that he is delighted to welcome Lineker back into the broadcaster’s fold, as he issued the following statement: “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.”
Davie also issued a public apology and recognised that these events proved to be “a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences.”
There will also be an independent review concerning the “potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance” introduced in 2020, as he iterated that he wants various “matters resolved and our sport content back on air.”
Labour leader, Kei Starmer added that this latest controvery had been a “mess of the BBC’s own making”, amidst deep controversy concerning BBC Chairman, Richard Sharp in a non-related issue
Lineker’s suspension also triggered chaos as fellow presenters, pundits and commentators walking out in solidarity – with Alex Scott, Ian Wright and Guy Mowbray amongst those at BBC Sport who stood by Lineker and plunged the weekend’s coverage across TV and Radio into chaos.
Football Focus and Final Score were both pulled from schedules on Saturday (11 March) due to no presenter nor pundit willing to feature on the programme, whilst radio commentary of various 3pm matches and Crystal Palace’s defeat to Manchester City went ahead without a presenter.
BBC consequently were forced to fill air time on BBC Radio 5 Live with recorded podcasts outside of live match action, and the same was repeated on Sunday (12 March) with post-match phone-in show, 606 dropped on both Saturday and Sunday.
Match of the Day meanwhile aired as a 20 minute highlight edition without presentation, punditry or commentary, which provoked anger from Royal National Institute of Blind People at the lack of commentary for those with sight issues.
The BBC needs to do better.
We agree with Jurgen that their decision not to include commentary on Match of the Day is unacceptable.
The BBC should be upholding basic accessibility standards so that everyone can enjoy their output. https://t.co/CNfDHQe3CZ
— RNIB (@RNIB) March 12, 2023
Match of the Day 2 also followed the same format on Sunday but BBC’s live coverage of Chelsea’s Women’s Super League (WSL) clash against Manchester United instead used world feed commentary, with world feed commentators also used for their WSL highlights later the same evening.
Lineker’s return to presenting duties will take place on Saturday 18 March with live coverage of Manchester City’s Quarter-Final against Burnley in 2022-23 FA Cup.
Discussion about this post