GARY LINEKER has been told to step back from presenting Match of The Day, the BBC has said.
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.
In a statement, the BBC said it 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.”
They added that the suspension will remain in place until an agreement is reached on his social media use.
What did Gary Lineker tweet?
Lineker took to Twitter to hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans migrants who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain.
He tweeted: “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?”
What have Ian Wright and Alan Shearer said?
Lineker’s co-hosts on Match of The Day, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have also stepped back from the show in a sign of solidarity to Lineker.
Wright tweeted: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.”
This was shortly followed by co-star Alan Shearer who said: “I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.”
Alex Scott, Jermaine Jenas, Micah Richards and Mark Chapman have also all shown support for Lineker so Match Of The Day will go ahead, but without any hosts or pundits on the broadcast.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
