BBC pull Gary Lineker OFF THE AIR in major U-turn after MoTD host compared UK migrant policy to 1930s Germany
THE BBC will pull Match of the Day host Gary Lineker off the air after he compared new immigration legislation to 1930s Germany.
In a major U-turn, the broadcaster announced Lineker would be suspended from his presenting duties after previously saying he would face no disciplinary action.
Gary Lineker will be taken off the air amid a row over a tweet concerning UK immigration policy
It comes after Mr Lineker sparked major backlash this week when he took to Twitter to hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans migrants who arrive on small boats from ever settling in Britain.
A BBC statement said: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
“The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.
“When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.”
The row ignited after Mr Lineker tweeted: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”
Responding to another user who described him as “out of order”, he added: “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 decision represents an about turn after a BBC source previously said: “We have spoken to Gary and he won’t face any disciplinary action.
“From our perspective the situation has been resolved now and we want him to get back to what he’s best at, which is being a brilliant sports presenter.”
Mr Linker himself previously addressed the controversy, saying: “Well, it’s been an interesting couple of days. Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting Match of the Day on Saturday.
“Thanks again for all your incredible support. It’s been overwhelming.”
He declared yesterday morning that he stands by his tweets hitting out at Rishi Sunak’s crackdown on illegal migration.
Outside his London home, the the defiant presenter told reporters he isn’t scared of being sacked for expressing political views.
He added: “I have never known such love and support in my life than I’m getting this morning (England World Cup goals aside, possibly).
“I want to thank each and every one of you. It means a lot. I’ll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice. Cheers all.”
The former England captain began presenting the Beeb’s flagship football show, Match of the Day in 1999.