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      Gary Lineker REPLACED as host for today’s BBC FA Cup coverage after illness and ‘deteriorating overnight’

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      GARY LINEKER will NOT present the BBC’s FA Cup coverage today because he is struggling with illness.The host, who made his return to screens yesterday following his BBC Twitter row, struggled with his voice during the Beeb’s coverage of Manchester City vs Burnley and “deteriorated overnight”.
      Gary Lineker returned to BBC screens yesterdayCredit: PA
      Lineker, 62, had been due to host Brighton’s clash with League Two Grimsby Town this afternoon.
      But the BBC have confirmed that he will be replaced by Football Focus presenter Alex Scott.
      In a statement this morning, they confirmed: “Due to illness, we’ve got a line-up change for today’s live FA Cup coverage of Brighton v Grimsby on BBC One.
      “As viewers will have noticed yesterday, Gary Lineker was struggling with his voice and unfortunately it has deteriorated overnight.
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      “Alex Scott will be hosting instead.”
      Sun columnist Piers Morgan quickly made light of the situation, joking on Twitter: “BREAKING: Lineker’s free speech cancelled again.”
      Yesterday’s broadcast marked Lineker’s first appearance on terrestrial telly since he was suspended after likening the language used in the government’s introduction of their controversial Illegal Migration Bill to that of 1930s Germany.
      Ahead of his return, Lineker made a cheeky reference to the situation on his Twitter page.
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      He wrote: “Ah the joys of being allowed to stick to football.”
      Lineker’s removal from Match of the Day sparked a mutiny within BBC Sport.
      Regular analysts and presenters including Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to fill in, plunging the show into crisis.
      The result was a 20 minute broadcast devoid of a host, analysis, commentary or interviews.
      Due to curiosity of what the decimated show would look like, viewing figures soared by 500,000 to 2.58million.
      But normal service has now been resumed after Lineker and the Beeb were able to settle their differences.
      With Lineker hosting yesterday’s live match coverage, Mark Chapman presented Match of the Day.
      Lineker posted a snap of himself alongside Shearer and Richards in the BBC’s Etihad Stadium studio yesterday.
      He wrote: “Teammates. 🙌🏻 @alanshearer @MicahRichards.”
      Last night Shearer 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.
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      “It’s good to get back to some sort of normality and talk about football.”
      And Lineker responded: “I echo those sentiments.”
      Lineker posed alongside MOTD pals Alan Shearer and Micah Richards in the Beeb’s Etihad Stadium studioCredit: TWITTER/GARY LINEKER More

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      I’m UK’s oldest football fan – if Grimsby Town reach FA Cup final on my 101th birthday it’ll be the best present ever

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      MOST pensioners look forward to a telegram from the King and a birthday cake when they turn 100.But Jack Hinchliffe had bigger fish to fry.
      Jack with son Graham and his honorary Grimsby Town shirt from the clubCredit: Richard Walker
      Come rain or shine, Jack has seen around 2,000 Grimsby Town matchesCredit: Richard Walker
      He got the “best present” ever when his beloved Grimsby Town were promoted on the same day.
      Now Jack is hoping his 101st will be just as lucky if the second division Lincolnshire underdogs can overcome Premier League high-flyers Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday in the quarter finals of the FA Cup.
      Two more wins by Town on their remarkable run and it would be a Wembley FA Cup final on June 3 – the same weekend as Jack’s big day.
      Jack joked: “I’ll be living in hope or dying in despair!
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      “I don’t drink but I might even open a bottle if we win.”
      Oldest footie fan
      The loyal Mariners’ supporter is Grimsby’s – and possibly Britain’s oldest – footie fan and his passion for his club knows no bounds.
      He has watched around 2,000 matches since he started following Grimsby in 1948 when he left the army after the Second World War.
      Come rain or shine Jack has waved his scarf at every game until he finally quit travelling the country to go to away matches at the age of 93.
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      He’s too frail to travel to Brighton for Sunday’s cup clash where Town take on a team 76 places above them in the leagues, and will watch on TV instead.
      The former fish salesman said: “I think we can do it.  Why not? We’ve come this far.
      “If we make it to Wembley the whole town will empty – and I’ll definitely want to go.”
      Jack at Wembley with grandson Jayden in 2016Credit: Richard Walker
      Grimsby only regained their full league status last year by winning the national playoffs after a potentially disastrous drop into the semi-professional National League.
      But this season the bounceback has continued with a remarkable and record-breaking run of five FA Cup games when they have defeated teams higher up the leagues. 
      The last time they flew so high was in the FA Cup quarter-finals in 1939 when they were a First Division side, losing 5-0 to Wolves in the semi-finals.
      Thousands of fans will be taking their iconic Harry the Haddock inflatable fish to Brighton’s American Express Community Stadium.
      The Mariners fans include comedian Lloyd Griffith, ex-kids entertainer Timmy Mallett and, occasionally, ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson whose Grimsby Town bobble hat often makes an appearance.
      And the current PM Rishi Sunak has even thrown his weight behind the team after a fifth round victory over his team Southampton.
      He said: “I now have a new team to support in the cup.”
      But local celeb Jack is by far the fan’s favourite and he was last year guest of honour at a ‘legends’ night where he was thrilled to meet ex-goalie Nigel Batch, who played for Grimsby between 1976 and 1787.
      The team also made Jack an honorary player with his own ‘Hinchliffe 100’ shift which he keeps on a peg in his living room.
      Jack’s most exciting game yet was at Wembley in 2016 when his team beat Forest Green Rovers to return to the EFL.
      A picture of him at the match with grandson Jayden, now 17, hangs proudly on his wall.
      Even Boris has been spotted in a Grimsby hat while out running with his dogCredit: Splash
      Jack, aged around 50, when he worked as a fish salesman in GrimsbyCredit: Richard Walker
      He said: “That was a great day. 
      “There was nobody left on the streets of Grimsby because everyone was at the match.”
      The father-of-two, grandfather of nine and great-grandad of eleven became obsessed with Grimsby when he went to see them at Blundell Park, the 124-year-old stadium in Cleethorpes where Town still play. 
      Sprightly Jack makes sure he goes for a short walk on the crescent outside his house every day to make sure he’s fit enough to watch his team on the weekends.
      “I don’t go to the mid-week games because you have to pay extra and I already pay between £300 and £400 for my season ticket,” he says.
      And on the subject of money, he reckons today’s footballers earn far too much.
      “They are greedy,” he says. “You used to get paid by the match and that was fair enough.
      “But I guess as Greavsie once said ‘it’s a funny old game’”
      Jack’s obsession with Grimsby started in 1939 when he left the Royal Engineers at the end of the war after taking part in tough campaigns in France, Norway, Egypt and the Middle East.
      He said: “I started going because it was somewhere to go. There wasn’t much to do after the war – it was job done.
      “I was quite sociable so a group of us started going.”
      Jack, who had played football growing up in Filey, was in Grimsby to lay cables for the post office and ended up staying after falling in love with first wife Joyce.
      He said: “Joyce used to visit the landlady me and another lad were staying with.
      “I  went to the Ritz cinema in Cleethorpes with a group of five, including Joyce, and when we got to the door there was only four allowed in.
      Jack with first wife Joyce, left, and second wife Kathleen
      Jack, far left, took his own team Haven Hotspurs to victory in 1953Credit: Richard Walker
      “We tossed for it and I took Joyce in. Afterwards we walked all the way back to Grimsby fish market, about three miles, and talked all the way.
      “When I walked her home her mum answered the door and said ‘bring the lad in then’. I thought ‘ey, what’s going on here then,’ but she came out with a washing up bowl full of beetroot from her garden for me. I still love a beetroot sandwich.”
      When Jack, then 19, and 18-year-old Joyce tied the knot they started going to games together and when baby Robert, now 71, came along, he went too.
      Sadly, Joyce died of liver failure aged 58.
      He went on to marry Kathleen, who died in 2004 aged 81, and had two children, taxi driver Graham, 57, and Sandra, 62, who were also ‘persuaded’ to support the Mariners.
      Sandra said: “To be honest I don’t really like football but it keeps dad going and gives him something to talk about with other people.”
      Granddaughter Seren Lucas, nine, has followed in her granddad’s footsteps and joined a junior team.
      Jack once ran his own football team Haven Hotspur FC who won the third division championship in 1953
      Despite being a massive Grimsby fan, Jack isn’t that interested in other clubs.
      And he is charmingly blunt when talking about the world’s most famous players.
      His favourites were Brazil sticker Pele, who died in December last year, and Hungarian Ferenc Puskas.
      He says: “I liked George Best but then he took to the drink and ruined the girls.”
      He saves a special mention for Raich Carter, a Hull City player, who he helped watch defeat Grimsby in 1949.
      Granddaughter Seren has made granddad proud playing for GrimsbyCredit: Richard Walker
      Pele and Puskas are Jack’s all-time favourite players
      Carter, who had captained his home town team Sunderland to a League Championship in 1936, was, says Jack, “the best player I’d ever seen at that time.”
      Jack, who has lived through five monarchs, has four carers to help but is still sharp for his age and with a twinkle in his eye says: “The oldest person in Britain is 108 and I’m going to beat them.”
      Son Graham puts his dad’s longevity down to his attitude.
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      “You can come in and tell dad the worst news and he just goes ‘ah, well’. He’s always been that way.”
      While Jack might not make tomorrow’s match Grimsby Town knows their lucky mascot is right behind them. More

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      Man City 6 Burnley 0: Haaland puts Championship leaders to the sword with ANOTHER hat-trick in FA Cup quarter-final

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      IT started with a hug and a handshake – and ended with a bloodied nose and a dose of harsh reality.Welcome back Vincent. Now let’s not forget who’s the master and who is the pupil, here, eh?
      Erling Haaland celebrates as he follows his five goals vs Leipzig with a hat-trick as Man City chase a glorious Treble of their own
      Etihad goal machine Haaland pounces for his first goal on 32 minutesCredit: Reuters
      Former Man City defender Vincent Kompany takes defeat well as the Burnley boss is embraced by Etihad chief Pep GuardiolaCredit: PA
      A standing ovation from the fans who worshipped him for 11 years, and the warmest of embraces from Pep Guardiola ahead of this sixth round showdown.
      Then an end to the geniality and a jab for the jugular, as Erling Haaland led the charge for the throat and it all became just another day in the office for Guardiola and his City slickers.
      And a painful smack in the chops for Kompany’s Clarets as to what lies in wait once they are back in the rarefied atmosphere of the Premier League.
      It actually became so cruel in the end that you half expected a towel to come floating across from the Burnley dugout.
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      If referee John Brooks had an ounce of compassion he’d have stopped this early. An FA Cup tie that was a genuine contest for over half an hour eventually turned into an exhibition.
      By the end City were so on top and Burnley so browbeaten that the home side could have been done for bullying.
      If it was an audition for which of Kompany’s Clarets were up to joining him on the journey back in the Promised Land next term, you’d have to say not many would have passed it.
      To be honest, for 33 minutes they must have been starting to wonder what all the fuss was about with the Premier League, City and this supposed goal machine called Haaland.
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      Two devastatingly clinical first half minutes told them exactly what…drop your guard for a split second with him around and it’s curtains.
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      So suddenly half time pats on the back all round because finger pointing at who went missing where and when. Haaland does that to a side.
      Twice they gave him half a yard in the first half. Both times he punished them in the deadliest fashion. They did it again in the second half and guess what? Same again.
      A cruel nudge in the ribs for Kompany and his crew, too, that while you may get away with it in the Championship, when it comes to this level, not a chance.
      Take City’s opener, for example. A straight forward ball through the middle from Julian Alvarez, and Haaland was through on Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
      A dip of the shoulder, the hint of a shimmy and a poke under the keeper with the outside of his left boot.
      Two minutes later the Norwegian was in again, Peacock-Farrell was beaten again, and City were in the FA Cup semi-finals….again.
      This time the creation was a little more crafted, Kevin De Bruyne setting Phil Foden free down the left with a slide rule ball inside Connor Roberts.
      Foden looked up, took aim and delivered the perfect low cross which Haaland met at just the right time to sidefoot in from close range.
      Rcord-breaking hitman Haaland celebrates opening the floodgates against Burnley with Man City’s opener on 32 minutes
      Game over, then, before half-time. Incredibly after Burnley looked to have done the donkey work of weathering an early storm. That worked out well, then.
      Before they knew it Haaland was completing his sixth hat-trick of the season, taking his tally to EIGHT in two games, and bagging yet another match ball.
      Again Foden was the creator, this time with a fizzing low drive which struck the upright and was clinically dispatched by the Norwegian’s one-touch finish.
      As if to prove that the quickfire first half one-two was no one-off, City then produced another to make it four.
      Riyad Mahrez and De Bruyne were the architects and Alverez the finisher, smashing into an empty net with the Clarets cracked wide open.
      Time, then, for Haaland to take a break. Not a bad week’s work, all told, to go with the five Champions League goals he helped himself to against Leipzig on Tuesday.
      And to think they all scoffed when it was first suggested he could reach 50 in his first season in England.
      Last night’s nap hand has left him on 42 already. The way it’s going, he’ll be disappointed if his eventual haul stops at “just” half a century.
      City certainly didn’t stop with his departure, mind, and Cole Palmer – the man who came on for Haaland – got in on the act by volleying into an empty net.
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      Alvarez finished the romp by tapping in a point blank sixth, before referee Brooks finally called a halt to the punishment.
      Although for Kompany, somehow you imagine it will take a while longer for the pain to subside. More

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      Gary Lineker says ‘it’s great to be here’ as he returns to BBC but DOESN’T apologise for ‘disgraceful’ Nazi tweet

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      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”.
      Gary Lineker with teammates Alan Shearer and Micah RichardsCredit: TWITTER/GARY LINEKER
      The TV pundits with the FA Cup trophy before the matchCredit: Reuters
      Lineker arrived at the Etihad Stadium in ManchesterCredit: PA
      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.
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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 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.
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      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.
      It is the first time he hit TV screens after his chaotic tweet rowCredit: PA
      Shearer told how upset he was about last week’s show being cancelledCredit: BBC More

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      Man Utd vs Fulham: Red Devils eyeing up second trophy of the season as they host Cottagers in FA cup clash – TV, stream

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will be hoping to get past Fulham in their FA Cup quarter-final tie as they look for their second trophy of the season.The Red Devils have won the Carabao Cup already this season following their triumph against Newcastle in February.
      Manchester United’s Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes lift the Carabao Cup trophy
      United have a huge chance to claim three trophies this campaign as they progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday night.
      It’s been a successful season so far for Erik ten Hag’s side, who currently sit 3rd in the Premier League hoping to claim a place in next year’s Champions League.
      When is Man Utd vs Fulham?

      Man United vs Fulham will take place on Sunday, March 19.
      Kick off will be at 4:30pm UK time.
      Old Trafford will play host.

      What channel is Man Utd vs Fulham on?

      Man United vs Fulham will be shown live on ITV1.
      Coverage will start at 3:45pm UK time.
      Commentary will be from Sam Matterface and Lee Dixson, with analysis from Roy Keane and Ian Wright.

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      Can I live stream Man Utd vs Fulham FREE?

      Man United vs Fulham will be available to stream FREE via the ITVX app, providing you have a valid TV license.
      You can download the ITVX app for free onto your mobile or tablet device.
      The ITVX website is also available on laptops and desktops.

      What is the latest team news?
      Casemiro will be unavailable as he serves the first of his four-match domestic suspension.
      Antony Martial could return to the squad following his time out with a hip injury.
      Alejandro Garnacho left Old Trafford last week on crutches after sustaining an ankle injury, meaning he could face time on the sidelines.
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      Antony is also a doubt after he missed Thursday’s trip to Spain due to illness.
      United will definitely be without long-term absentees Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen for their FA Cup clash with Fulham.
      For the Cottagers, they will be handed a timely boost following Joao Palhinha’s return from suspension.
      Loanee right-back Cedric Soares will return to the squad after he was unable to play his parent side Arsenal last weekend.
      Willian also missed the game against his former employers with a sore back but could return for Sunday’s game at Old Trafford.
      Neeskens Kebano, Tom Cairney and Layvin Kurzawa are all unavailable for Fulham’s FA Cup quarter-final clash.
      Odds

      Man Utd – 4/9
      Draw – 17/5
      Fulham – 6/1

      *Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and are correct at the time of publication. More

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      Don Megson dead at 86: Tributes paid to Sheffield Wednesday legend who captained side in 1966 FA Cup final

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY’S legendary defender Don Megson has sadly passed away at the age of 86.The Owls icon captained the team in the 1966 FA Cup final which they lost 3-2 to Everton.
      Sheffield Wednesday legend Don Megson has passed away at the age of 86Credit: Rex
      Megson, centre, played nearly 400 games for Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Getty
      Reporter Alan Biggs confirmed the news on social media on Thursday morning.
      He tweeted: “Very sad news. Been asked to post on behalf of the family that Don Megson has left us at the age of 86.
      “A Sheffield Wednesday icon (1959-69). Captained #SWFC in ‘66 FA Cup final.
      “Son Gary says Don passed peacefully.
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      “Such a fine player & man. RIP.
      “Don Megson was an inspiring leader & a driving left back, one of the top players in the land, during his great career with @swfc.”
      He then went on to add: “A true gent.”
      One fan replied: “Sad news. Wednesday legend status without a shadow of doubt.”
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      Another added: “Such sad news. Don was one of my earliest memories of following Sheffield Wednesday. Condolences to Gary and the Megson family and to everyone connected to the club. RIP Don.”
      And a third added: “My first Wednesday captain. What a commanding and dignified character. A great loss to the Owls’ family. Condolences to his loved ones RIP Don #swfc.”
      Megson spent a decade with Sheffield Wednesday from 1959 to 1969, racking up nearly 400 appearances for the club.
      In the ’66 FA Cup final, Megson and Wednesday experienced heartbreak as Everton came from 2-0 down to beat them 3-2 in a thriller.
      In between his decade in Sheffield, Megson also featured for Mossley and Bristol Rovers, hanging up his boots in 1971.
      He enjoyed an 11-year career in management, coaching Bristol Rovers to Watney Cup glory in just his third game in charge.
      He spent five years with the English outfit before leaving in 1977.
      He then went on to spend two years with Portland Timbers, before a brief stint at Bournemouth in 1983.
      He captained Sheffield Wednesday in the 1966 FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      He also became a coach after hanging up his boots in 1971Credit: Rex More

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      Gary Lineker will return to Match of the Day in days, BBC confirms as broadcaster apologises for row but host DOESN’T

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      THE BBC apologised today as they confirmed Gary Lineker will return for FA Cup coverage following a row over his inflammatory migrant tweets.The announcement comes amid a wave of fury from Tory MPs over the crisis after the pundit failed to apologise himself.
      Gary Lineker will return to his Match of the Day hosting duties this weekendCredit: BBC
      The pundit, pictured today, has failed to apologise for his commentsCredit: Getty
      Lineker, 62, will return to screens to front Saturday’s FA Cup action after a weekend of chaos saw schedules changed last-minute and a different format for Match of the Day.
      The BBC is now going to review its social media guidelines as Director General Tim Davie apologised for the “difficult period” for staff, presenters and audiences.
      But Lineker’s failure to say sorry himself today has already attracted criticism.
      Tory MP Tom Hunt said: “There has been no apology from Lineker for the grossly offensive remarks he made that would have offended millions of people who are forced to make a contribution to his salary.
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      “What the BBC say about a social media review all seems rather vague and I fear it will just be a white wash.
      “We can’t allow ‘freelancers’ who are paid millions by the taxpayer and are widely perceived to be BBC employees to act with impunity when it comes to impartiality rules.
      “Even before this there was growing momentum and support from the public for abolishing the licence fee. This will only boost that.”
      Lineker said in a brief statement he is “glad we have found a way forward” and threw his support behind the planned review.
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      The commentator also broke his Twitter silence to double-down on his remarks after what he branded a “surreal few days”.
      He said he was “delighted to have navigated a way through this” as he thanked his colleagues for their “incredible support” and “remarkable show of solidarity”.
      Lineker said: “I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world.
      “I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.
      “A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you.”
      Lineker also thanked Mr Davie for his “understanding during this difficult period”.
      He added: “He has an almost impossible job keeping everybody happy, particularly in the area of impartiality. I am delighted that we’ll continue to fight the good fight, together.”
      The BBC Board has welcomed the agreement, saying it is “the right time” to review its social media guidelines and “impartiality is a cornerstone of the BBC”.
      But the decision to review the BBC’s social media guidelines could prove a humiliating own goal for Mr Davie as they were written at his request in 2020 to include the “Lineker Clause”.
      This stated higher-profile presenters had an extra responsibility to avoid taking sides on political issues.
      Mr Davie said today impartiality is “important” to the BBC and the public but admitted there is 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.”
      A review – supported by Lineker – will be led by an independent expert in due course.
      He will “abide by the editorial guidelines” until that report is complete, Mr Davie confirmed.

      He added: “Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend.”
      The row erupted after Lineker criticised Home Secretary Suella Braverman’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, 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?”
      Lineker was accused by the BBC of breaking their strict impartiality rules that state staff must “avoid taking sides on political controversies” and “take care when addressing public policy matters”.
      The BBC said the pundit’s comments 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.”
      The broadcaster revealed on Friday he had been suspended and would not host Saturday’s Match of the Day – sparking a mutiny among his co-stars.
      Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to fill in with the football analysis show plunged into crisis.
      Saturday’s night episode later aired with a stripped-back, 20 minute version that did not even feature the iconic theme tune.
      Football Focus, Final Score, the Fighting Talk podcast and 5Live’s 606 football phone in were all canned as schedules were sent spiralling.
      And last night’s Match Of The Day 2 ran for just 14 minutes, again with no commentary or presenters.
      Mr Davie told the BBC on Saturday he would “absolutely not” quit amid the fallout.
      Asked if he was sorry about the way he handled the row, he added: “We made decisions and I made decisions based on a real passion about what the BBC is and it’s difficult.”
      Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waded into the row on Saturday, saying the Lineker’s suspension is “rightly a matter” for the BBC, not him or Government.
      He added that while he respected “not everyone will always agree” with Government policies, he praised the pundit for being a “great footballer and talented presenter”.
      Read More on The Sun
      BBC director general Tim Davie has apologised over the rowCredit: Pixel8000
      The pundit sparked a mutiny when he was suspended by the BBCCredit: LNP
      Lineker has presented Match of the Day since 1999Credit: BBC
      The BBC accused the ex-footballer of breaking impartiality rulesCredit: Alamy More

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      in Soccer

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

      by

      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