GARY Lineker made a sly dig at the BBC as he returned to TV screens after the migrant tweet row.
The presenter of Match of the Day, 62, took to his Twitter page earlier this afternoon to post a message to his followers which said: “Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football.”
The Tweet was interpreted by many as a dig at the BBC, who pulled star off air after he likened Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan to “Germany in the ’30s”.
His return to the channel last night was met with fury from fans who blasted Lineker for failing to apologise for the “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful” post.
Tonight, his co-host Shearer – who also pulled out in solidarity to Lineker – apologised for missing last week’s show.
He said: “I want to say how upset we were that all the audiences missed out on last weekend.
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“It was a really difficult situation for all concerned.
“For no fault of their own some great people in TV and radio were put in an impossible situation.
“It’s good to get back to some sort of normality and talk about football.”
Lineker responded: “I echo those sentiments.”
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The BBC’s highest-paid presenter, on £1.35million a year was blasted for writing on Twitter: “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?”
Illegal Migration Bill will see migrants detained and removed to their home country, or a safe third state within 28 days.
Tory MPs blasted the tweet as “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful”, while Downing Street said his language was “not acceptable and disappointing to see”.
Energy secretary Grant Shapps wrote on Twitter: “As a Jewish cabinet minister I need no lessons about 1930s Germany from Gary Lineker.
“Like Gary, I am hosting refugees in my own home, but unlike Gary, I do not believe it is either right or moral to tolerate criminal gangs trafficking vulnerable people across the channel.”
Home secretary Suella Braverman branded the TV presenter’s comments “irresponsible” and immigration minister Robert Jenrick said he was “out of step with the British public”.
Lineker’s words were considered in breach of the BBC’s strict impartiality rules which state that staff must avoid taking sides on political controversies.
In a statement, the BBC previously said it had “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.”
Lineker’s co-hosts on the show, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer also stepped back from the show in support if their colleague.
Ultimately Lineker’s return was announced as he agreed to abide by existing guidelines and welcomed a new independent review into BBC stars’ use of social media.
He today marked his return to the BBC by tweeting a picture of himself.
Lineker wrote: “Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football.”
But fans piled in on the star, with some calling for Lineker to step down.
One person said: “Hypocrite. Please quit,” while another added: “Will definitely not be watching.”
Someone else wrote: “Well stick to football then and leave the politics to the politicians.”
Another added: “You don’t just stick to football and that’s the problem.”
“Time for a change I feel. Bring in some new faces. Panel have had their day unfortunately in my eyes,” someone else said.
Fans also said the BBC’s embarrassing U-turn 72 hours after taking Lineker off air may spell trouble for the cooperation.
One viewer said: “Lineker hammered the final nail home in the BBC’s coffin.
“Well done Gary – the license fee is now toast.”
Since the controversy exploded, the BBC have come under fire for their handling of the situation.
BBC director-general Tim Davie, who made the call to suspend Lineker, faced an embarrassing climbdown just 72 hours later when he reversed the decision.
Mr Davie said in a statement the corporation has commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines and apologised for the impartiality row.
He described the BBC’s commitment to freedom of expression and impartiality as a “difficult balancing act”.
“The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air”, he added.
Lineker was back in front of the cameras for the corporation fronting last night’s FA Cup coverage at 5.30pm, telling viewers how thrilled he was to be back at his “Saturday job”.
His co-host and former teammate Alan Shearer also expressed how “upset” he was to have missed out on the show last week.
He said: “I want to say how upset we were that all the audiences missed out on last weekend.
“It was a really difficult situation for all concerned.
“For no fault of their own some great people in TV and radio were put in an impossible situation.
“It’s good to get back to some sort of normality and talk about football.”
Lineker responded: “I echo those sentiments.”
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Lineker is reportedly yet to confirm his role presenting the BBC’s Champions League coverage when it kicks off next year.
This comes as rival, BT Sport, is said to be targeting Lineker for their TNT Sports next season, according to MailOnline.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
