GARY Lineker has said “it’s great to be here” as he returned to the BBC for FA Cup coverage for the first time since his Nazi tweet storm.
The former football star, 62, opened last night’s programme at 5.30pm telling viewers how thrilled he was to be back at his “Saturday job”.
Lineker was taken off air after a Tweet – in which he likened the Illegal Migration Bill to “Germany in the ’30s” – was blasted as “foul, ill-conceived and disgraceful” by MPs.
And fans slammed his return – with some calling for Lineker to step down after he failed to apologise.
Last night, his co-host Alan Shearer – who also pulled out in solidarity with Lineker – apologised to fans 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.
Read More on lineker
“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.”
Most read in Football
The BBC’s highest-paid presenter, on £1.35million a year was blasted for his criticism of Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan.
He hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans people who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain, on Twitter.
Lineker wrote: “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 bill will see migrants detained and removed to their home country, or a safe third state within 28 days.
Tory MPs slammed 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”.
Following Lineker’s tweet, the BBC “decided that [Lineker] will step back from presenting Match of the Day” after the post was found to have breached the BBC’s strict impartiality rules.
Lineker’s co-hosts on the show, Ian Wright and Shearer, also pulled out in support if their colleague.
But the BBC later confirmed Lineker WILL return to the channel in an embarrassing climbdown 72 hours later.
Director General Tim Davie apologised for the “difficult period” for staff, presenters and audiences after his embarrassing climbdown.
Lineker’s failure to say sorry himself also attracted criticism.
He yesterday marked his return to the BBC by tweeting a picture of himself along with a sly dig at the BBC.
He 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.
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”.
He added: “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.”
Lineker is reportedly yet to confirm his role presenting the BBC’s Champions League coverage when it kicks off next year.
Read More on The Sun
This comes as rival, BT Sport, is said to be targeting Lineker for their TNT Sports next season, according to Mail Online.
Yesterday saw the arrival of the Home Secretary in Rwanda, to meet with President Paul Kagame and her counterpart Vincent Biruta, to discuss the plan.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
