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      Gary Lineker reveals Match of the Day’s alternative Premier League table… and it makes bad reading for Chelsea

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      GARY LINEKER has revealed an alternative Premier League table from Match of the Day that will leave Chelsea fans disappointed. Football supporters up and down the country love to moan about their team’s place in the running order on Match of the Day and Lineker has revealed exactly what decides it.
      Gary Lineker has revealed an alternative Premier League table based on last season’s Match of the Day running orderCredit: Getty

      The alternative table doesn’t make good reading for ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Not only that, but he has drawn up a league table from last season which shows each team’s average place in the programme’s running order.
      And it doesn’t make particularly pleasant viewing for Chelsea fans with The Blues sat in 18th place despite being considered as one of the “big six” by many.
      Manchester City top the table as with their average position in the Match of the Day running order last season being 2.1.
      Whilst their title challengers Arsenal were just behind them in second with their average slot coming out at 2.4.
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      Lineker explained that teams are often chosen to lead or close the show based on how much their game matters in relation to their league position.
      This means title contenders and relegation scrappers find themselves sitting higher up whilst mid-table fodder is often left till the end of the show.
      Speaking on his podcast The Rest Is Football, he said: “Teams going for the title will be on the top [of the show] more than anyone else because that’s how we watch sporting events.
      “Then you would probably have teams nearer the bottom [of the Premier League table] because they’re fighting a relegation fight.
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      “And then you end up with the mid-table sides usually, probably nearer the end of the running order for most of the time.”
      The table backs up the former Barcelona star’s thinking with Crystal Palace, Fulham and Chelsea sitting at the base of the alternative table after finishing in the Premier League’s three mid-table spots last term.
      Whilst relegated side Leeds were only topped by City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Man United.
      Arsenal’s impressive campaign saw them lead the BBC show more often than mostCredit: AP
      Manchester City were the main event of Match of the Day last season after winning the leagueCredit: AFP
      Fulham’s mid-table finish often saw them pushed to the back end of the programmeCredit: PA
      Leeds were regularly featured at the start of Match of the Day following their disappointing relegation last termCredit: Getty More

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      Gary Lineker reveals he snubbed Premier League manager job offer – and gives three brutally honest reasons why

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      GARY LINEKER revealed he turned down the opportunity to work as a manager in the Premier League.Lineker is arguably the most famous UK media personality thanks mostly to his work as presenter of Match of the Day ever since he took over from Des Lynam in 1999.
      Gary Lineker revealed Match of the Day could have looked very differentCredit: BBC
      However, the popular football show could have looked very different if the ex-England star decided to follow in the footsteps of fellow legends and try his luck in management.
      The 62-year-old was offered the top job at Aston Villa and his beloved Leicester in the 1990s.
      In fact, the late Doug Ellis – who was Villa chairman from 1982 until 2006 – called the Tottenham legend personally and offered him the position.
      But the Barcelona hero turned down the opportunity, just like he did with the Foxes, because that career path never “appealed” to him.
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      The ex-Everton star was certain that wouldn’t work and is adamant he wouldn’t “have been very good at it”
      The popular presenter also remembered how much he disliked training as a player.
      Finally, the former striker wouldn’t be able to handle a dressing room as he couldn’t even be able to leave someone out of the team.
      Lineker told The Rest Is Football: “It never appealed, for a variety of reasons.
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      “I don’t think I’d have been very good at it. I don’t think I could have coped with leaving someone out of the team.
      “I never really loved training, I found it quite boring most of the time. So if I didn’t like training, I’m not going to really like watching training. It just never, ever, ever crossed my mind.
      “I got a couple of job offers, I think Villa, Doug Ellis asked me to be Villa manager, and Leicester did at one point.
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      Lineker was offered the opportunity to manage Aston Villa and LeicesterCredit: BBC
      “I got a phone call from Doug Ellis, it was shortly after, I can’t remember the era apart from the fact that it was relatively soon after I’d finished playing.
      “And he said, ‘Would you be interested in the Aston Villa job?’ And I just said, ‘Management is not for me, sorry Doug’.” More

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      Gary Lineker reveals how Match of the Day chooses running order after fan complaints

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      GARY LINEKER has revealed how the Match of the Day running order is decided after receiving accusations of bias from fans. The 62-year-old faced backlash when his former club Tottenham were played first on Saturday’s show after their 5-2 win at Burnley.
      Gary Lineker has responded to fans’ complaints of the MOTD running orderCredit: Alamy
      Lineker fired back insisting the most exciting Premier League games are always on first on Saturday’s MOTD.
      However other factors are taken into consideration, particularly during the second half of the season, he explained.
      Lineker has hosted the BBC flagship football highlights show for more than two decades.
      But fans still question how the running order is decided.
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      Seeing which games get picked to be shown first is one of the show’s unique selling points and hints which Premier League fixtures have been more entertaining.
      The England legend revealed the show’s editor is responsible for the running order but admits it’s a team effort involving himself and the pundits for the weekend.
      He made the revelation during the latest episode of The Rest Is Football – his podcast with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer.
      Lineker said: “It is a combined effort but it is ultimately the editor’s decision.
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      “Generally you get the best match on first, it is Match of the Day.
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      “Obviously when you cover a sporting event, the main focus is on the leaders.
      “You don’t watch a horse race and focus on the back six… Towards the second half of the season.
      “Whoever is top of the league has to come into your thinking when deciding.”
      Lineker also said winning results are preferred to draws when it comes to deciding the line-up.
      He added: “We put Forest beating Chelsea 1-0 on second on Saturday night, ahead of Manchester City scoring five against Fulham because it is a big story… You take all those things into account.”
      The BBC has broadcast highlights of the Premier League for most of the division’s existence.
      The only exception was between 2001 and 2004 when ITV obtained the rights. 
      Since regaining coverage Lineker admits he’s worked hard to ensure every team is given a good show.
      He continued: “I had a discussion with BBC bosses when we got the TV rights back from ITV over whether we could show every game.
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      “Back then it was highlights from a few matches, a couple of clips from another and then just goals.
      “They worked it out and I thought ‘at last we won’t get complaints from fans that teams aren’t being shown’. Now it is just them complaining that their team is on last!” More

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      Mason Greenwood saga reveals shocking truths about Man Utd leadership, says Gary Neville – as striker axed

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      MANCHESTER United legend Gary Neville has condemned the club for its “horrible” handling of the Mason Greenwood saga.The Sky Sports pundit and ex-Red Devils captain tonight said Greenwood’s newly-announced exit exposed leadership failures at the Old Trafford club.
      Gary Neville has accused his old club Manchester United of failing to be ‘strong’Credit: PA
      Mason Greenwood’s United exit is finally the ‘right decision’, Neville saysCredit: Getty
      Former England international Neville said it was the “right decision” to announce this afternoon Greenwood would be leaving United.
      But he told Monday Night Football on Sky Sports tonight the six-month process ahead of the announcement was “pretty horrible”.
      And he accused club chiefs of failing to be “strong and authoritative”.
      His intervention came after the BBC’s Match Of The Day host and ex-Three Lions skipper Gary Lineker broke his silence on the news.
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      Lineker posted on X, formerly named Twitter, how he felt United’s move was the “inevitable and right” end to an “untenable situation”.
      United today announced they had come to a “collaborative decision” with the 21-year-old forward that he would be moving on.
      But the club did not say whether his £75,000-a-week contract would be terminated or whether he would be put on loan or sold.
      Greenwood hasn’t played for the first team since being arrested in January last year on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
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      All charges against him were dropped in February but the footballer remained suspended by United.
      Members of Manchester United Women’s team reportedly raised concerns about Greenwood returning to the training ground.
      Women’s charities have welcomed today’s decision and told of survivors’ “relief” but say more must be done by football clubs.
      The move was also tonight praised by Channel 4’s Countdown co-host and Strictly Come Dancing star Rachel Riley, who said last week she would stop supporting United if they allowed Greenwood back.
      UNITED ‘LACK STRONG LEADERSHIP’
      And when asked this evening about the development ahead of the Premier League derby between Crystal Palace and Arsenal, Neville criticised United officials for their handling of the situation.
      He said: “Yes, they have made the right decision and finally got there – however, the process of getting there has been pretty horrible.
      “When you have significant situations and difficult situations like this, you need strong and authoritative leadership and Manchester United don’t have that.”
      He also called for an “independent review” in similar situations of alleged violence against women.
      Neville added: “It should not be that Manchester United are the judge and jury on a significant situation – not only for themselves, but also for the game.
      “People talk about the representation of Manchester United, but it’s the Premier League as well.
      “My view is on issues of this importance and severity, they should be dealt with independently because it’s clear that Manchester United have not had the skill and ability to deal with this situation.
      “It’s been well above their experience and ability.”
      Greenwood’s last game was on January 22, 2022, in a Premier League clash against West Ham United, which United won 1-0.
      He was charged in October last year and was due to stand trial in November this year.
      But prosecutors withdrew the case on February 2 after his alleged victim and a dozen more witnesses refused to co-operate.
      United said today they had taken into account the “wishes, rights and perspective of the alleged victim along with the club’s standards and values, and sought to collate as much information and context as possible”.
      The club added: “Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material alleged did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged
      “That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for.
      “All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.”
      GREENWOOD ACCEPTS HE ‘MADE MISTAKES’
      Greenwood also released a statement insisting he had not done what he was accused of but was “learning to understand” his “responsibilities as a professional footballer”.
      He added: “I want to start by saying I understand that people will judge me and I know people will think the worst.
      “I was brought up to know that violence or abuse is wrong.
      “I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges.
      “However, I fully accept I made mistakes.”
      He added: “I intend to be a better footballer, but most importantly a good father, a better person, and to use my talents in a positive way on and off the pitch.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Bradford-born Greenwood has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for United, having joined the club as a six-year-old.
      He was given his England debut by manager Gareth Southgate as a late substitute against Iceland in September 2020, though has not played for the country since.
      United’s handling of the case prompted Old Trafford protests last weekCredit: Getty More

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      Gary Lineker breaks his silence on Mason Greenwood after striker was AXED from Man Utd – as club faces losing MILLIONS

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      GARY Lineker has broken his silence on Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood decision, welcoming the end to an “untenable” situation.The Match Of The Day presenter and ex-Three Lions captain spoke out, as it emerged United face losing millions letting Greenwood go.
      Gary Lineker says the Greenwood decision was ‘inevitable and right’Credit: Getty
      Greenwood’s Old Trafford departure could cost Manchester United millionsCredit: Getty
      Former Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona star Lineker took to X, formerly called Twitter, to offer his thoughts on the Premier League club’s announcement Greenwood would be leaving.
      The BBC host shared the club’s statement and added: “Inevitable and right decision on an untenable situation.”
      United today announced they had come to a “collaborative decision” with the 21-year-old forward that he would be moving on.
      But the club did not say whether his £75,000-a-week contract would be terminated or whether he would be put on loan or sold.
      Read More On Mason Greenwood
      The Red Devils now face a scramble to get rid of Greenwood in just ten days or face losing millions.
      If United haven’t sold or loaned him out by September 1 when football’s summer transfer window closes, they could have to pay him millions to cancel his contract which is due to expire in 2025.
      They could only go beyond the deadline if Greenwood is picked up by a club in Saudi Arabia because their window closes on September 20.
      Recent expensive new recruits to the Saudi league include former United colleague Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as France’s Karim Benzema after leaving Real Madrid and PSG’s Brazilian forward Neymar.
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      Greenwood hasn’t played for the first team since being arrested in January last year on suspicion of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
      All charges against him were dropped in February but the footballer remained suspended by United.
      Members of Manchester United Women’s team reportedly raised concerns about Greenwood returning to the training ground.
      Women’s charities have welcomed today’s decision and told of “relief” but say more must be done by football clubs.
      The move was also tonight praised by Channel 4’s Countdown co-host and Strictly Come Dancing star Rachel Riley, who said last week she would stop supporting United if they allowed Greenwood back.
      Posting on social media, she praised a Women’s Aid tweet as a “great statement” after the United announcement.
      The charity had posted: “We know that the news from @ManUtd this afternoon, that Mason Greenwood will be moving on from the club, will be a relief.
      “This case has brought back painful memories for many people.”
      Greenwood’s last game was on January 22, 2022, in a Premier League clash against West Ham United, which United won 1-0.
      He was charged in October last year and was due to stand trial in November this year.
      But prosecutors withdrew the case on February 2 after his alleged victim and a dozen more witnesses refused to co-operate.
      United said today they had taken into account the “wishes, rights and perspective of the alleged victim along with the club’s standards and values, and sought to collate as much information and context as possible”.
      The club added: “Based on the evidence available to us, we have concluded that the material alleged did not provide a full picture and that Mason did not commit the offences in respect of which he was originally charged
      “That said, as Mason publicly acknowledges today, he has made mistakes which he is taking responsibility for.
      “All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.”
      Greenwood also released a statement where he insisted he had not done what he was accused of but was “learning to understand my responsibilities as a professional footballer”.
      He added: “I want to start by saying I understand that people will judge me and I know people will think the worst.
      “I was brought up to know that violence or abuse is wrong.
      “I did not do the things I was accused of, and in February I was cleared of all charges.
      “However, I fully accept I made mistakes.”
      He added: “I intend to be a better footballer, but most importantly a good father, a better person, and to use my talents in a positive way on and off the pitch.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Bradford-born Greenwood has scored 35 goals in 129 appearances for United, having joined the club as a six-year-old.
      He was given his England debut by manager Gareth Southgate as a late substitute against Iceland in September 2020, though has not played for the country since.
      Protests have been staged about United’s approach ahead of the Greenwood decisionCredit: Getty More

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      Gary Lineker forced to apologise as fans complain that Match of the Day feature is ‘like a tin can’

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      GARY Lineker was forced to apologise to viewers after Match of the Day was hit with sound problems.The BBC host, 62, presented the show as always on Saturday night.
      Gary Lineker was forced to apologise for the sound quality on Match of the DayCredit: BBC
      But fans were immediately disappointed with the commentary that sounded like it was recorded inside a ‘tin-can’.
      That saw the England legend address the issues in the studio
      “We believe we’ve got one or two problems with the sound,” he told his audience.
      “If that’s the case then we do apologise and we’re working at it as we speak… if you can hear us that is!
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      “Apparently it’s better on iPlayer. If you want to switch that’s up to you but I’m sure we’ll get it resolved as quickly as we can.”
      Although that didn’t stop fans from voicing their disapproval online.
      One wrote: “What is up with the sound on match of the day @BBCMOTD#motd sounds like commentary from inside a tin can.”
      Another posted: “Match of the day sounds a bit robotic tonight.”
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      A third shared: “Is the sound a bit funny on match of the day?”
      Lineker hit the headlines earlier this year when he was taken off TV after a tweet criticising the Conservative Party’s immigration policies.
      That sparked a massive protest amongst his fellow football pundits and Match of the Day staff.
      He was also outspoken about Qatar’s role as World Cup hosts at the end of last year regarding their human rights record.
      After Lineker returned from his brief suspension earlier this year, he then doubled down on his sentiments during an interview with Men’s Health Magazine.
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      He said: “When I sent that tweet, it honestly never even crossed my mind that it would lead to where it went.
      “I’ve worked with refugees’ charities for years. So, when I saw the Suella Braverman film, I said I thought it was pretty awful.
      “Then the ‘stick to football’ people weighed in and I replied to one of them, just saying there was no massive influx, the UK takes far fewer refugees than other European countries, this is a cruel policy, and the language used in the debate reminds us of the debate in Germany in the 1930s. I think that is factually accurate.” More

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      Match of the Day to make history with first ever father-son punditry team in shake-up to regular cast

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      IAN WRIGHT and Shaun Wright-Phillips are set to make Match of the Day history this weekend.The duo will become the first-ever father-son punditry team on Saturday night’s instalment of the long-running footie show.
      Ian Wright has been a Match of the Day pundit for several yearsCredit: BBC
      The ex-Arsenal and England hitman will be joined by son Shaun on MOTD this weekendCredit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTD
      Wright-Phillips played for Manchester City, Chelsea and EnglandCredit: GETTY
      An excerpt of a BBC statement read: “Ian Wright and Shaun Wright-Phillips will become the first father and son punditry team to appear on Match of the Day on Saturday.
      “Arsenal legend Wright, a regular pundit on the show, will be joined by son Wright-Phillips, who had two spells with Manchester City.
      “The pair will join Gary Lineker in the studio to review highlights from Saturday’s Premier League fixtures.”
      There will no doubt be plenty of banter between father and son – who regularly trade jibes with one another on social media.
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      Wright-Phillips brutally trolled his old man after Arsenal’s 4-1 defeat to Manchester City last month.
      The former City star tweeted: “Hi @IanWright how’s things?
      “Just checking… Hope you’re okay, dad.”
      Wright-Phillip’s tweet was put to Ian during MOTD by host Gary Lineker.
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      Arsenal’s former all-time leading goalscorer said of his son: “He’s so annoying!
      “I taught him how to wee this boy… he still can’t reach the toilet now!”
      Lineker couldn’t help but see the funny side and replied: “He’s certainly taking the wee now!'”
      Wright-Phillips lit up the Premier League with Manchester City, Chelsea and QPR before leaving for the MLS in 2015 and retiring four years later.
      Brother Bradley also played in the Prem for City but spent the bulk of his career in the MLS before retiring last March.
      Shaun Wright-Phillips has done punditry work before with BT SportCredit: GETTY
      And Shaun recently admitted he reckons his old man lamented neither one of them playing for Arsenal.
      The 41-year-old told Four Four Two: “I’d imagine that if you asked him now, he’d say yes. It would’ve been a nice story to tell.
      “But I think he was just happy with what we achieved. We made our own paths.
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      “I played the way I wanted to, by enjoying watching a lot of wingers and attacking football when I was growing up; my brother liked watching people score goals, and you can see that with what he did in MLS.
      “We didn’t listen to much of the talk on the outside.” More

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      Gary Lineker makes sly dig at BBC as he returns to TV for first time since migrant tweet row

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      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.”
      Gary Lineker took to his Twitter page earlier this afternoonCredit: Twitter
      Lineker hosted the BBC’s coverage of the FA CupCredit: BBC
      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.”
      Read More on The Sun
      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.
      Lineker said he was thrilled to be back at his ‘Saturday job’Credit: BBC
      Gary Lineker, centre, arrives at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester to present live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and BurnleyCredit: PA More