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      Gary Lineker WILL be back on the BBC for next weekend’s FA cup coverage after a deal was struck in tense crisis talks

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      GARY Lineker will front the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next Saturday after the under fire host struck a deal with the BBC today.The agreement will be announced tomorrow after tense talks, following a weekend of TV mayhem caused by the Nazi tweets row.
      Gary Lineker will return to host the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next weekendCredit: BBC
      Gary Lineker was seen walking his dog today amid the ongoing rowCredit: Reuters
      Director General Tim Davie has been under massive pressure to find a solutionCredit: AFP
      MPs and pals of Lineker will pore over the details to see who has backed down.
      It risks a potentially explosive new row between the BBC and the Tory party if the star presenter has neither apologised or agreed to abide by impartiality rules in the future.
      Director General Tim Davie has been under massive pressure to find a solution after schedules were hammered both yesterday and today.
      A TV source said: “Gary will be back to host the BBC’s FA Cup coverage. A deal has been struck.
      Read More on this story
      “If the BBC have agreed to allow him to keep tweeting his anti-Tory views, it will be seen as a major victory for Gary, but the details of the deal are unclear at this stage.”
      Next weekend’s FA Cup quarter final coverage includes Manchester City against Burnley on Saturday and Man U vs Fulham on Sunday.
      The row was triggered when the veteran broadcaster responded to a video on Twitter of Home Secretary Suella Braverman as she presented the Government’s small boats plan.
      The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Most read in Football
      Sharing the clip, Mr Lineker said: “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 BBC said the pundit’s comments on Twitter were a “breach of our guidelines”.
      Ms Braverman later said his comments were “offensive”.
      She added: “To kind of throw out those kind of flippant analogies diminishes the unspeakable tragedy that millions of people went through…
      “And I don’t think anything that is happening in the UK today can come close to what happened in the Holocaust.”
      Match Of The Day ran for just 20 minutes last night – without commentary or even the iconic theme tune – as the crisis-hit BBC struggled to get the flagship highlights show on-air.
      Football Focus, Final Score, the Fighting Talk podcast and 5Live’s 606 football phone in were all canned yesterday as the staff uprising sent schedules into meltdown.
      And tonight’s Match Of The Day 2 will run for just 14 minutes, again with no commentary or presenters.
      Mr Davie told the BBC on Saturday he would “absolutely not” quit amid a fallout that has bought the corporation to its knees.
      He described the unfolding disaster as a “difficult day” and apologised for the disruption to BBC sports programming.
      Asked if he was sorry about the way he handled the furore, Mr Davie told the BBC on Saturday: “We made decisions and I made decisions based on a real passion about what the BBC is and it’s difficult.”
      He insisted the row is about impartiality.
      Gary’s tweets were said to break the BBC’s strict impartiality rules which state that staff must “avoid taking sides on political controversies” and “take care when addressing public policy matters”.
      RISHI’S RESPONSE
      It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pleaded for some “perspective” following the Lineker row.
      Mr Sunak warned the BBC is “not about one person” as Corporation bosses scrambled to find a solution to the impartiality row with their highest paid star.
      Speaking to reporters on his way to California, the PM said on Sunday the crisis was for not for the Government to step into but for “them to sort out, between Gary Lineker, the BBC and their presenters.”
      He added: “I think the issue between Gary Lineker and the BBC is one they should resolve.
      “I hope they can resolve it in a timely fashion.”
      Meanwhile The Sun’s Trevor Kavanagh said the row has dealt a killer blow to Lineker’s own beloved BBC.
      The columnist blasted the corporation as being “colonised by the Guardian-reading liberal elite” for whom “the trigger word ‘Tory’ sends them groping for the garlic and crucifix”.
      Read More on The Sun
      And he suggested “Lineker must know he is out of order” following the inflammatory tweets.
      Tory Deputy Chairman Lee Anderson later fumed: “MOTD is old ex footballers ripping off the public by chatting nonsense instead of showing more football.” More

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      talkSPORT commentator unhappy with BBC for using his commentary during Chelsea vs Man Utd clash

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      A COMMENTATOR has said he wished the BBC had not used his commentary over their Women’s Super League coverage as the Gary Lineker row rolls on.

      talkSPORT‘s Nigel Adderley was working for the FA world feed as the Beeb scrambled for replacements to work on Chelsea v Manchester United.

      Nigel Adderley has made clear where he stands in the BBC’s civil war

      Presenters, pundits and commentators have withdrawn their services in solidarity after Lineker was suspended for controversial criticism of the Government’s migration policy.

      It left BBC Radio 5 Live stripped of its usual Saturday coverage, Football Focus and Final Score pulled off the air and a strange, shortened Match of the Day with no studio presentation.

      The BBC narrowly avoided a live 90 minute game without commentary as they were able to get world feed commentary for the match at Kingsmeadow.

      But Adderley revealed he agreed with his colleagues’ protests.

      He said on Twitter: “To be clear, I was commentating on Chelsea v Man U for the FA’s World Feed coverage.

      “I wasn’t booked by the BBC and I won’t be paid by them. In all honesty, I would rather they hadn’t taken it but they were entitled to.

      “I entirely support the stance of other colleagues from MOTD.”

      The game finished 1-0 to Chelsea after Sam Kerr’s winner, putting the Blues three points clear at the top in the WSL’s fascinating four-way title tussle.

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      And the game began on an awkward note as a technical glitch left viewers with no commentary at the beginning of the match.

      Adderley’s stance reflects the broadcasting community’s continuing backing of Lineker, with Match of the Day 2 also to have a reduced format on Sunday night.

      The extraordinary standoff could come to an end sooner rather than later with Lineker reportedly in talks with BBC boss Tim Davie over getting him back on air for Saturday’s live FA Cup coverage.

      Meanwhile, Lineker allies and MOTD pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer were back on the telly today for Premier League TV. More

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      Gary Lineker set to return to Match Of The Day for FA Cup next week after crunch talks with the BBC over Nazi tweet row

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      GARY Lineker is set to return to Match Of The Day for the FA Cup next week after crunch talks with the BBC over the Nazi tweet row. The 62-year-old pundit refused to address the ongoing row over his inflammatory posts comparing the government’s new Illegal Migration Bill to 1930s Nazi Germany, which saw him taken off air.
      Gary Lineker is likely to return to the BBC in a matter of days, sources sayCredit: LNP
      Lineker has been in crunch talks with his employer over Nazi tweetsCredit: BBC
      The 62-year-old has today refused to say anything on the matterCredit: Getty
      At around 12.30pm today, he was spotted walking his dog outside his home in West London.
      Asked whether he still wanted to work at the Beeb or if he was in talks with the director general about his future, the ex-England star simply stated: “I can’t say anything.”
      But, just hours later it was said he was likely to return to TV in a matter of days – with sources saying BBC boss Tim Davie wants Lineker back on the telly.
      An insider told the Telegraph: “Tim Davie has been clear that he wants to resolve the situation and see the MOTD presenter back on air.
      Read more on Gary Lineker
      “Gary and his representatives have been in talks for a number of days and these are ongoing.”
      Lineker was told to step back from hosting Match Of The Day while bosses try to get him to agree to stop posting political messages online.
      His likening of Tory immigration rhetoric and Nazi Germany sparked outrage in some quarters – with Home Secretary Suella Braverman claiming his comments diminished the tragedy of the Holocaust.
      It was said to break the BBC’s strict impartiality rules which state that staff must “avoid taking sides on political controversies” and “take care when addressing public policy matters”.
      Most read in Football
      BBC pundits and commentators refused to work following the backlash, deciding to support longstanding presenter Lineker.
      It caused a football blackout, with several TV and radio programmes, including the Saturday edition of Match of the Day, Football Focus and Final Score, disrupted or forced off air following a boycott by figures like Ian Wright, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott.
      Sunday night’s edition of MOTD2 will air – but without presenters or commentary.
      The Beeb does not have the rights required to use world feed commentary, an issue that saw last night’s 20-minute broadcast go without.
      Commentator Guy Mowbray tweeted: “As yesterday, there will be no ‘normal’ MOTD(2) programme tonight.
      “The scheduled commentary team are in full agreement with our BBC Sport colleagues. We hope that a resolution can be found ASAP.”
      Tonight’s programme will show only highlights of Manchester United vs Southampton, West Ham vs Aston Villa and Fulham vs Arsenal and Newcastle vs Wolves.
      There was also no pre-game chat before this afternoon’s Women’s Super League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United amid the storm.
      It follows several last-minute timetable changes yesterday which resulted in Football Focus and Final Score being scrapped from the BBC One schedule.
      MOTD, which Lineker has hosted for almost 25 years, was cut to just 20 minutes, with no commentary, analysis or interviews.
      It also went out without its famous theme tune – instead broadcasting only short highlight clips of the day’s matches.
      It did, however, see its viewing figures soar by 500,000 to 2.6million – the highest number since November 2022.
      MOT2 will take a similar “reduced” format at 10:30pm after host Mark Chapman decided not to present for BBC Radio 5 Live Sport on Saturday and pundit Jermain Defoe announced he would not appear on the Sunday highlights programme.
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      BBC Radio 5 Live was yesterday forced to cancel its coverage of Saturday’s football after Chapman, 59, and co-presenter Colin Murray, 46, pulled out in support of Lineker.
      It followed similar boycotts from other high-profile names, includingKelly Somers and Jason Mohammad, who stood down in solidarity with Lineker.
      The BBC said it would air only “limited sport programming” over the weekend and was “working hard to resolve the situation”.
      In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.”
      BBC’s Davie later apologised personally for the disruption to the sport schedule but insisted he will not resign from his role.
      On Saturday, Bargain Hunt aired in place of Football Focus on BBC One at noon, while The Repair Shop ran instead of Final Score at 4.30pm.
      BBC presenter Murray tweeted that 5 Live’s Fighting Talk was not airing “for obvious reasons” in a decision by the entire team.
      Pre-recorded content replaced the live broadcasts, with Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast aired during Fighting Talk’s slot followed by The Footballer’s Football Podcast, which played on Radio 5 Live when 5 Live Sport would have aired.
      The 606 phone-in show with Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton was also pulled, replaced by a Eurovision podcast.
      Pundit Glenn Murray pulled out of appearing on Football Focus and Final Score on Saturday while fellow former players Dion Dublin and Leon Osman were among those announcing their absence from coverage.
      Mohammad also confirmed he would not be hosting Final Score.
      ‘VERY DIFFICULT DAY’
      On Friday evening, several MOTD commentators shared a joint statement online, announcing they would be stepping down from Saturday’s broadcast.
      The group, including Steve Wilson, Conor McNamara, Robyn Cowen and Steven Wyeth, said they did “not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme” given the current circumstances.
      Ian Dennis, a BBC employee, did cover Leeds against Brighton for 5 Live radio but said it was a “very difficult day”.
      Lineker was taken off air for a tweet which compared the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy tackling evil people traffickers with Nazi Germany.
      The broadcaster said it had “decided” Lineker would take a break from presenting the highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.
      Former BBC director-general Greg Dyke said the corporation had made a “mistake” and “undermined its own credibility” by taking Lineker off air.
      A spokesman for the Professional Footballers’ Association said in a statement on Twitter that it had “been informed that players involved in Saturday’s games will not be asked to participate in interviews with Match Of The Day”.
      I disagree with Gary Lineker on small boats profoundly.Jeremy HuntChancellor
      PM Rishi Sunak said he hopes the free speech row ends “in a timely manner”- but that it was a matter for the BBC, not Government.
      Conservative politicians have lined up to slam Mr Lineker, who is on a taxpayer-funded salary of £1,350,000.
      Jeremy Hunt today said he “profoundly disagrees” with the controversial comments made.
      The Chancellor told Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky News: “I disagree with Gary Lineker on small boats profoundly.
      “I personally think that he was wrong to say what he said.”
      MP Simon Clarke echoed his words, telling the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “I disagree very profoundly with what Gary Lineker said.
      “I think the comparisons to 1930s as he’s made are deeply inappropriate and actually very tasteless.”
      Asked why it matters what a sports presenter says, he replied: “Mr Lineker has a huge reach and the reality is that he is obviously operating on a publicly-funded broadcaster, he is someone whose platform largely derives from his role at the BBC, he’s saying things which are partisan and I think which are also deeply unfair.”
      ‘TASTELESS TWEET’
      He called the situation a “mess” and said the BBC needs to resolve “ambiguity” in its guidelines as Lineker is freelance a sports presenter, not a political journalist.
      Mr Clarke continued: “I don’t like cancel culture of any kind, I don’t like to see people being taken off air.”
      Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer also waded into the row, saying: “The BBC has a 10-point plan in relation to impartiality.
      “It is absolutely important that it maintains impartiality so that the public retains trust in it.”
      In the Commons, DUP MP Gregory Campbell called for “multimillionaire lefty Lineker” to have his pay docked.
      And Red Wall MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “Whilst the elderly lost their free licence, the BBC have now given Gary Lineker a different sort of free license – one that allows him to say what he wants, when he wants and without fear of sanction.
      “Everybody is entitled to their opinions, but as a public service broadcaster you would expect the BBC to hold him to the same standards they would expect from other members of their staff, who would not get away with such appalling comparisons.”
      The Illegal Migration Bill bans migrants who arrive on small boats from ever settling in Britain.
      Read More on The Sun
      The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Ms Braverman has repeatedly insisted the plan does not break the law, and said the country’s top legal minds have worked day and night to ensure it’s feasible.
      There was no pre-game chat as Chelsea took on Manchester United in WSL todayCredit: Getty

      Alex Scott was one of the many BBC pundits and commentators who backed Lineker amid the stormCredit: Getty More

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      Gary Lineker remains tight-lipped as he steps out amid war with BBC over Nazi immigration tweet as MotD2 to air tonight

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      GARY Lineker today remained tight-lipped amid his impartiality war with the BBC. The 62-year-old pundit refused to address the ongoing row over his inflammatory tweets comparing the government’s new Illegal Migration Bill to 1930s Nazi Germany, which saw him taken off air.
      Gary Lineker stayed tight-lipped as he left his home todayCredit: LNP
      Mark Chapman, who is the regular presenter of Match of the Day 2Credit: PA
      There was no pre-game chat as Chelsea took on Manchester United in WSL todayCredit: Getty
      At around 12.30pm on Sunday, he was spotted walking his dog outside his home in Barnes, West London.
      Asked whether he still wanted to work at the Beeb or if he was in talks with the director general about his future, the ex-England star simply stated: “I can’t say anything.”
      Lineker was told to step back from hosting Match of the Day while bosses try to get him to agree to stop posting political messages online.
      His likening of Tory immigration rhetoric and Nazi Germany sparked outrage in some quarters – with Home Secretary Suella Braverman claiming his comments diminished the tragedy of the Holocaust.
      READ MORE ON THE LINEKER ROW
      It was said to break the BBC’s strict impartiality rules which state that staff must “avoid taking sides on political controversies” and “take care when addressing public policy matters”.
      BBC pundits and commentators refused to work following the backlash, deciding to support longstanding presenter Lineker.
      It caused a football blackout, with several TV and radio programmes, including the Saturday edition of Match of the Day, Football Focus and Final Score, disrupted or forced off air following a boycott by figures like Ian Wright, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott.
      Sunday night’s edition of MOTD2 will air – but without presenters or commentary.
      Most read in Football
      The Beeb does not have the rights required to use world feed commentary, an issue that saw last night’s 20-minute broadcast go without.
      Commentator Guy Mowbray tweeted: “As yesterday, there will be no ‘normal’ MOTD(2) programme tonight.
      “The scheduled commentary team are in full agreement with our BBC Sport colleagues. We hope that a resolution can be found ASAP.”
      Tonight’s programme will show only highlights of Manchester United vs Southampton, West Ham vs Aston Villa and Fulham vs Arsenal and Newcastle vs Wolves.
      There was also no pre-game chat before this afternoon’s Women’s Super League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United amid the storm.
      It follows several last minute timetable changes yesterday which resulted in Football Focus and Final Score being scrapped from the BBC One schedule.
      MOTD, which Lineker has hosted for almost 25 years, was cut to just 20 minutes, with no commentary, analysis or interviews.
      It also went out without its famous theme tune – instead broadcasting only short highlight clips of the day’s matches.
      It did, however, see its viewing figures soar by 500,000 to 2.6million – the highest number since November 2022.
      MOT2 will take a similar “reduced” format at 10:30pm after host Mark Chapman decided not to present for BBC Radio 5 Live Sport on Saturday and pundit Jermain Defoe announced he would not appear on the Sunday highlights programme.
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      BBC Radio 5 Live was yesterday forced to cancel its coverage of Saturday’s football after Chapman, 59, and co-presenter Colin Murray, 46, pulled out in support of Lineker.
      It followed similar boycotts from other high-profile names, includingKelly Somers and Jason Mohammad, who stood down in solidarity with Lineker.
      The BBC said it would air only “limited sport programming” over the weekend and was “working hard to resolve the situation”.
      In a statement, a spokesperson said: “We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.”
      BBC director-general Tim Davie later apologised personally for the disruption to the sport schedule but insisted he will not resign from his role.
      On Saturday, Bargain Hunt aired in place of Football Focus on BBC One at noon, while The Repair Shop ran instead of Final Score at 4.30pm.
      BBC presenter Murray tweeted that 5 Live’s Fighting Talk was not airing “for obvious reasons” in a decision by the entire team.
      Pre-recorded content replaced the live broadcasts, with Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast aired during Fighting Talk’s slot followed by The Footballer’s Football Podcast, which played on Radio 5 Live when 5 Live Sport would have aired.
      The 606 phone-in show with Robbie Savage and Chris Sutton was also pulled, replaced by a Eurovision podcast.
      Pundit Glenn Murray pulled out of appearing on Football Focus and Final Score on Saturday while fellow former players Dion Dublin and Leon Osman were among those announcing their absence from coverage.
      Mohammad also confirmed he would not be hosting Final Score.
      ‘VERY DIFFICULT DAY’
      On Friday evening, several MOTD commentators shared a joint statement online, announcing they would be stepping down from Saturday’s broadcast.
      The group, including Steve Wilson, Conor McNamara, Robyn Cowen and Steven Wyeth, said they did “not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme” given the current circumstances.
      Ian Dennis, a BBC employee, did cover Leeds against Brighton for 5 Live radio but said it was a “very difficult day”.
      Lineker was taken off air for a tweet which compared the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy tackling evil people traffickers with Nazi Germany.
      The broadcaster said it had “decided” Lineker would take a break from presenting the highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.
      Former BBC director-general Greg Dyke said the corporation had made a “mistake” and “undermined its own credibility” by taking Lineker off air.
      A spokesman for the Professional Footballers’ Association said in a statement on Twitter that it had “been informed that players involved in Saturday’s games will not be asked to participate in interviews with Match Of The Day”.
      I disagree with Gary Lineker on small boats profoundly.Jeremy HuntChancellor
      PM Rishi Sunak said he hopes the free speech row ends “in a timely manner”- but that it was a matter for the BBC, not Government.
      Conservative politicians have lined up to slam Mr Lineker, who is on a taxpayer-funded salary of £1,350,000.
      Jeremy Hunt today said he “profoundly disagrees” with the controversial comments made.
      The Chancellor told Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Sky News: “I disagree with Gary Lineker on small boats profoundly.
      “I personally think that he was wrong to say what he said.”
      MP Simon Clarke echoed his words, telling the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “I disagree very profoundly with what Gary Lineker said.
      “I think the comparisons to 1930s as he’s made are deeply inappropriate and actually very tasteless.”
      Asked why it matters what a sports presenter says, he replied: “Mr Lineker has a huge reach and the reality is that he is obviously operating on a publicly-funded broadcaster, he is someone whose platform largely derives from his role at the BBC, he’s saying things which are partisan and I think which are also deeply unfair.”
      ‘TASTELESS TWEET’
      He called the situation a “mess” and said the BBC needs to resolve “ambiguity” in its guidelines as Lineker is freelance a sports presenter, not a political journalist.
      Mr Clarke continued: “I don’t like cancel culture of any kind, I don’t like to see people being taken off air.”
      Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer also waded into the row, saying: “The BBC has a 10-point plan in relation to impartiality.
      “It is absolutely important that it maintains impartiality so that the public retains trust in it.”
      In the Commons, DUP MP Gregory Campbell called for “multimillionaire lefty Lineker” to have his pay docked.
      And Red Wall MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “Whilst the elderly lost their free licence, the BBC have now given Gary Lineker a different sort of free license – one that allows him to say what he wants, when he wants and without fear of sanction.
      “Everybody is entitled to their opinions, but as a public service broadcaster you would expect the BBC to hold him to the same standards they would expect from other members of their staff, who would not get away with such appalling comparisons.”
      The Illegal Migration Bill bans migrants who arrive on small boats from ever settling in Britain.
      Read More on The Sun
      The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Ms Braverman has repeatedly insisted the plan does not break the law, and said the country’s top legal minds have worked day and night to ensure it’s feasible.

      Alex Scott also packed Lineker amid the stormCredit: Getty
      Pundit Jermain Defoe has given Lineker his supportCredit: Getty
      Lineker on Match of the DayCredit: BBC More

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      BBC hit by further chaos as 5 Live schedule ahead of Man Utd and Arsenal clashes is changed at last-minute

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      THE BBC have been hit with further chaos as Radio 5 Live’s Premier League schedule has been changed at the last-minute. Pre-recorded episodes of the Spygate: Sport’s Strangest Crimes podcast aired instead of the regular 12-2pm slot for Premier League games.
      BBC have been hit with further chaos as Radio 5 Live’s Prem schedule changed
      It comes amid Match of The Day presenter Gary Lineker’s row with the BBC following inflammatory tweets regarding the government’s new illegal migrants policy.
      Lineker was taken off the air, which led to a number of his colleagues striking in solidarity.
      As of now, Radio 5 Live’s schedule is due to resume at 2pm for commentary of Fulham’s game with Arsenal but no 606 phone-in show will air.
      Manchester United’s match with Southampton is also set to be broadcast this afternoon.
      READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER
      BBC staff refused to work on Saturday’s games, deciding to back Lineker following his criticism of the government’s new Illegal Migration Bill.
      Saturday’s TV and radio timetables were changed at the last minute – resulting in Football Focus and Final Score being scrapped from the BBC One schedule.
      MOTD, which Lineker has hosted for almost 25 years, was cut to just 20 minutes, with no commentary, analysis or interviews.
      It also went out without its famous theme tune – instead broadcasting only short highlight clips of the day’s matches.
      Most read in Football
      It did, however, see its viewing figures soar by 500,000 to 2.6million – the highest number since November last year.
      The Beeb do not have the rights required to use world feed commentary, an issue that saw last night’s 20 minute broadcast go without.
      But their own commentators will return for Sunday night’s MOTD2, which will air highlights of Manchester United vs Southampton, West Ham vs Aston Villa and Fulham vs Arsenal without a studio host.
      There will also be no pre-game chat before this afternoon’s Women’s Super League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United, it is understood.
      MOT2 is expected to take a similar “reduced” format at 10.30pm, albeit with commentary, after host Mark Chapman decided not to present for BBC Radio 5 Live Sport on Saturdayand pundit Jermain Defoe announced he would not appear on the Sunday highlights programme.
      Mark Chapman ruled himself out of MOTD 2Credit: PA More

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      Match of the Day viewing figures soar by 500,000 with 2.5MILLION tuning in for bizarre episode after Gary Lineker axing

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      MATCH OF THE DAY last night received its largest audience since November.The programme was watched by 2.58 million people – up nearly 500,000 from last week’s 2.09m viewership.
      Gary Lineker was suspended by the BBC this weekCredit: Alamy
      The BBC aired a shortened 20 minute highlights package at 10:20pm last night.
      Following the mutiny sparked by Gary Lineker’s suspension after his tweet likening the language used in introducing the government’s controversial Illegal Migration Bill to that of 1930s Germany, the bizarre version of the show featured no studio punditry.
      Regular analysts and presenters Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to fill in, plunging the show into crisis.
      The broadcast didn’t feature a host or even commentary, instead moving from game to game showing just the highlights.
      READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER
      No interviews with players or managers were included, with stars not asked to give interviews to Match of the Day.
      Despite the large viewership, many fans were left unimpressed by the stripped-back version of the show.
      One fan wrote: “Even the Match of the day intro is protesting!”
      Another asked: “Why am I sat commentating on Match of the Day myself?”
      Most read in Football
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      MOTD regulars Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out of the programme… beginning a mutiny within the BBCCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “Match of the Day with no commentary – what a farce,” declared another.
      A fellow viewer wrote: “Surreal watching a silent match of the day.”
      While another said: “Match Of The Day on BBC One with zero commentary is…different.”
      One added: “Bit speechless watching Match of the day.”
      Some, however, didn’t mind the unusual show.
      One fan wrote: “Fantastic match of the day instead of listing to all the b******s!”
      Another said: “Honestly. This match of the day without presenters and over the top commentary is f***ing miles better !!!”
      The 2.58m viewership was the largest since 2.63m tuned in on November 5.
      On that day, fans watched Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Fulham, Leicester 2-0 triumph at Everton and Leeds’ thrilling 4-3 victory over Bournemouth, among other games.
      Sun columnist Piers Morgan was not impressed by last night’s reduced offering.
      He wrote: “BBC should now adjust the licence fee so that everyone on Twitter pretending to prefer Match of the Day in the new format can pay £1 less a month but only ever watch it that way in future.
      “Spoiler alert: nobody would take that deal. It’s s***.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Match of the Day 2 is now in the balance this evening, with regular host Mark Chapman backing Lineker.
      Pundit Jermain Defoe has also announced he will not be appearing on the show.
      Piers Morgan was not impressed by last night’s showCredit: Getty More

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      Gary Lineker ‘will never apologise, never back down’ in BBC row – but WILL return to Match Of The Day, says son George

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      GARY Lineker will “never apologise” or back down amid his migrant tweet row with the BBC, his son says.But George, 31, stressed his dad is open to a return to the Beeb after being pulled off Match Of The Day for comparing the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill to “1930s Germany”.
      George Lineker said his dad Gary will ‘never apologise’ for his comments that saw him suspended from Match Of The DayCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Gary Lineker is open to a return to the BBC his son George saysCredit: PA
      Match Of The Day ran for just 20-minutes as the carnage-engulfed BBC limped to get the show on-airCredit: BBC
      The Sun on Sunday understands BBC boss Tim Davie is now locked in a standoff with Mr Lineker, who refuses to back down amid a row over his controversial tweetsCredit: BBC
      The pundit’s suspension sparked chaos on Saturday – with Match Of The Day going ahead without presenters, pundits or commentators.
      The show ran for just 20-minutes as the carnage-engulfed BBC limped to get the show on-air without even playing the theme tune.
      Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, Gary’s eldest praised his dad as a “good man” who stands by his word.
      He added: “That’s why he was pulled off the show – because he wouldn’t apologise.
      Read More on this story
      “To take him off the air for having a voice is harsh, and I think he was surprised, and a bit disappointed.”
      George went on to address whether his dad will return to the BBC, as it was reported broadcasters are queuing up to poach the veteran presenter.
      He explained: “Will he go back to Match of the Day? I think so – he loves Match of the Day. But he won’t ever back down on his word.”
      George noted Gary’s passion for standing up for those without a voice, pointing to the ex-England star’s decision to host two refugees at his home.
      Most read in Football
      The pundit sparked a free speech row when he responded to a video on Twitter of Home Secretary Suella Braverman as she presented the Government’s small boats plan.
      The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Sharing the clip, Mr Lineker said: “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?”
      ‘BREACH OF OUR GUIDELINES’
      The BBC said the pundit’s comments on Twitter were a “breach of our guidelines”.
      Mr Lineker was later asked to step back from presenting Match Of The Day – which he’s done since 1999 – until a “clear position” on his social media use is agreed.
      It comes as ex-tennis pro and LBC presenter Andrew Castle claimed Gary admitted on Thursday his comments were “a step too far”.
      Mr Castle told his LBC show today: “I was with Gary Lineker for half a day, plus, on Thursday, I was working with him.
      “I said to him, that I thought to draw the parallels between, you know, the rise of Nazism in the 30s and early 30s government and the immigration policy of a serving Conservative Party was a step too far and he agreed.”
      In a statement after suspending the veteran broadcaster, the BBC said they had undergone “extensive discussions” with the ex-England star, 62, following the furore.
      While the Beeb praised his sports coverage as “second to none” they said he should “keep well away from taking sides” on party political topics.
      The decision sparked chaos at the BBC as Match Of The Day’s commentators, pundits and presenters all refused to go on air in solidarity with Mr Lineker.
      Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards all refused to fill in amid a growing staff mutiny.
      Football Focus, Final Score, the Fighting Talk podcast and 5Live’s 606 football phone in were all canned as well as a staff uprising sent schedules into meltdown.
      It is unclear whether Match Of The Day 2 – which airs on Sunday – will go ahead.
      We made decisions and I made decisions based on a real passion about what the BBC is and it’s difficultTim Davie, BBC Director General
      The Sun on Sunday understands BBC boss Tim Davie is now locked in a standoff with Mr Lineker, who refuses to back down amid a row over his controversial tweets.
      Crisis-engulfed Davie told the BBC on Saturday he would “absolutely not” quit amid a fallout that has bought the corporation to its knees.
      Mr Davie described the unfolding disaster as a “difficult day” and apologised for the disruption to BBC sports programming.
      Asked if he was sorry about the way he handled the furore, he told the BBC on Saturday: “We made decisions and I made decisions based on a real passion about what the BBC is and it’s difficult.”
      He insisted the row is about impartiality.
      As his employer fought fires on all fronts – Mr Lineker today took time out to watch his beloved Leicester City in action at the King Power Stadium against Chelsea.
      The ex-England star was pictured watching the Foxes alongside one of his sons – and appeared all smiles despite his side losing 3-1.
      The crisis reached its peak late on Saturday when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waded into the row, saying the presenter’s suspension is an issue for the BBC, not him.
      Read More on The Sun
      Mr Sunak said the chaos was “rightly a matter” for the BBC, not the Government.
      He added that while he respected “not everyone will always agree” with Government policies, he praised Mr Lineker for being a “great footballer and talented presenter”.
      Mr Lineker today took time out to watch his beloved Leicester City in action at the King Power Stadium against Chelsea, alongside his sonCredit: Reuters More

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      in Soccer

      ‘A farce’ – Match of the Day fans left ‘speechless’ by bizarre commentary and pundit free highlights after Lineker row

      by

      VIEWERS slammed a “farcical” Match of the Day as the BBC aired Premier League highlights with no presenter, pundits or commentators.The much-loved show, created by BBC back in 1964, aired on Saturday night in a bizarre 20-minute format amid the carnage of the Beeb’s Gary Lineker tweet row.
      Gary Lineker was controversially pulled off the programme on FridayCredit: PA
      Fans did not enjoy the ‘farcical’ Match of the Day that aired on SaturdayCredit: BBC
      This was what replaced the traditional MOTD introCredit: BBC
      The flagship programme had no presenters, pundits or commentators after staff masterminded a mutiny in solidarity with Lineker.
      Co-hosts Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to fill in, plunging the show into crisis.
      The show’s commentary team also stood down – with the dulcet tones of Conor McNamara, Simon Brotherton and Robyn Cowen all falling silent.
      Match Of The Day – which usually runs for 80-minutes – started at the usual time of 10.20pm but only showed Premier League match highlights in a largely silent presentation.
      READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER
      Even the iconic theme tune and opening sequence were absent as Liverpool’s loss to Bournemouth followed a brief “Premier League highlights” frame.
      And footy fans quickly took to Twitter after tuning in to give their reaction to the “surreal” broadcast.
      One fan wrote: “Even the Match of the day intro is protesting!”
      Another asked: “Why am I sat commentating on Match of the Day myself?”
      Most read in Football
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      “Match of the Day with no commentary – what a farce,” declared another.
      A fellow viewer wrote: “Surreal watching a silent match of the day.”
      While another said: “Match Of The Day on BBC One with zero commentary is…different.”
      One added: “Bit speechless watching Match of the day.”
      Some viewers insisted they enjoyed the change.
      One fan wrote: “Fantastic match of the day instead of listing to all the b******s!”
      Another said: “Honestly. This match of the day without presenters and over the top commentary is f***ing miles better !!!”
      And a fellow fan commented: “Absolutely loving Match of the Day. No talking, no commentary… just football! Love it.”
      Sun columnist Piers Morgan was not convinced by their argument.
      Piers wrote: “BBC should now adjust the licence fee so that everyone on Twitter pretending to prefer Match of the Day in the new format can pay £1 less a month but only ever watch it that way in future.
      “Spoiler alert: nobody would take that deal. It’s s***.”
      Pundit Ian Wright was among the first to pull out in a show of support for Gary LinekerCredit: PA
      Lineker was pulled off the programme – which he’s hosted since 1999 – on Friday after comparing the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill to “1930s Germany”.
      The Sun on Sunday understands BBC boss Tim Davie is locked in a standoff with Mr Lineker, who refuses to back down amid a row over his controversial tweets.
      Crisis-engulfed Davie told the BBC on Saturday he would “absolutely not” quit amid a fallout that has bought the corporation to its knees.
      Football Focus, Final Score, the Fighting Talk podcast and 5Live’s 606 football phone in were all canned as the staff uprising sent schedules into meltdown.
      It is unclear whether Match Of The Day 2 – which airs on Sunday – will go ahead.
      Mr Davie described the unfolding disaster as a “difficult day” and apologised for the disruption to BBC sports programming.
      Asked if he was sorry about the way he handled the furore, he told the BBC on Saturday: “We made decisions and I made decisions based on a real passion about what the BBC is and it’s difficult.”
      He insisted the row is about impartiality.
      As his employer battled fires on all fronts – Mr Lineker today took time out to watch his beloved Leicester City in action at the King Power Stadium against Chelsea.
      The ex-England star was pictured watching the Foxes alongside one of his sons – and appeared all smiles despite his side losing 3-1.

      The row was triggered when Mr Lineker responded to a video on Twitter of Home Secretary Suella Braverman as she presented the Government’s small boats plan.
      The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Sharing the clip, Mr Lineker said: “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?”
      In a statement after suspending Mr Lineker, the BBC outlined they had undergone “extensive discussions” with the ex-England star, 62, following the furore.
      While the Beeb praised his sports coverage as “second to none” they said he should “keep well away from taking sides” on party political topics.
      The crisis reached its peak late on Saturday when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waded into the row, saying the presenter’s suspension is an issue for the BBC, not him.
      Read More on The Sun
      Mr Sunak said the chaos was “rightly a matter” for the BBC, not the Government.
      He added that while he respected “not everyone will always agree” with Government policies, he praised Mr Lineker for being a “great footballer and talented presenter”.
      Gary Lineker watched his beloved Leicester alongside one of his sons todayCredit: Reuters More