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    Fulham fans aim cheeky chant at Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister watches Southampton get relegated

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    FULHAM fans trolled Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after a heartbreaking loss that saw his boyhood team Southampton relegated.Saints fan Sunak attended the Premier League clash at St Mary’s and saw Ruben Selles’ team lose 2-0 to the Cottagers after goals from Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended Southampton’s game with FulhamCredit: Rex
    Fulham fans trolled Southampton supporter Sunak as his team got relegatedCredit: Getty
    And the visitors’ supporters noticed the PM in the VIP section and decided to pour some salt on his wounds as the hosts were condemned to the Championship for the first time in 11 years.
    Fulham fans chanted:: “Rishi, what’s the score? Rishi, Rishi, what’s the score?”
    The Prime Minister stopped short of joining in the gallows humour of home fans chanting: “We’re going down” after four minutes.
    But pictures emerged of Sunak looking dejected with how the game panned out for his beloved Southampton.
    Read More on Football
    And fans watching at home decided to join in on all the banter via social media.
    One fan tweeted: “Rishi Sunak goes to watch the Southampton match… Southampton get relegated. Coincidence?”
    Another commented: “Rishi Sunak just watched Southampton get relegated. Think he’ll get used to that feeling!”
    This Southampton fan said: “Southampton going down. Rishi Sunak at the game.
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    “Could it actually be any worse at our club?.”
    This supporter said: “Not even PM Rishi Sunak could help Southampton avoid relegation with his attendance today and show of solidarity.”
    And that one stated: “Wait, Rishi Sunak is at the Southampton-Fulham game? 🤣”
    After the Tories took a beating in local elections last week, Sunak must be a glutton for punishment.
    An old institution burning through three leaders in a year, sliding backwards after more than a decade at the top table – it’s all alarmingly familiar.
    The Prime Minister will be hoping to do better than Selles when he returns to his duties with the Conservative party now trailing to Labour in the polls by 17 points. More

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      Militant rail union bosses try to wreck FA Cup final and Derby by unleashing strike misery on sports fans

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      BITTER rail union bosses are unleashing strike misery on one of the biggest sporting days of the year.Aslef’s Mick Whelan — a self-styled pal of the workers — will try to wreck two of their favourite events.
      Rail union bosses are unleashing strike misery on footie fans heading to the FA Cup final, which Liverpool won last yearCredit: Getty
      The FA Cup final will be held at Wembley Stadium on June 3Credit: Alamy
      Racegoers and punters must make new travel plans for the Epsom Derby the same dayCredit: PA
      Disruption on June 3 will hit fans going to the FA Cup Final and racegoers heading to Epsom for The Derby.
      The walkout, one of three by Aslef, will inflict transport hell on 80,000 Manchester City and Manchester United followers.
      Aslef members will also strike on May 12 and May 31.
      In another major blow, rail workers with the RMT union will strike on May 13 — the day of the Eurovision final in Liverpool.
      READ MORE ON STRIKE CHAOS
      Aslef general secretary Mick ­Whelan, who enjoys a £151,371-a- year package, has a desk full of Chelsea memorabilia.
      His side were thrashed 4-0 by City in the Cup’s third round.
      Aslef president David Calfe is an Arsenal fan, whose team lost 4-1 to City in Wednesday’s title clash.
      Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “This looks like nothing more than sour grapes on the part of the union after their teams have lost.
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      “The actions of Aslef will ruin the plans for football fans, families and those wanting to experience Eurovision. I’m giving them nul points.”
      Kevin Parker, of the Manchester City Official Supporters Club, said: “This is the last thing we need.”
      The Manchester United Supporters Trust added: “We need all modes of transport available to cope with the level of demand and the railways are a key part of that.
      “We call on the Government and union to find a way to avert this.”
      The May 12 eve-of-Eurovision action will hit 3,000 Ukrainians invited to the song contest which their war-torn nation cannot host.
      In another major blow, rail workers with the RMT union will strike on May 13, the day of the Eurovision final in Liverpool
      Aslef members will also strike on May 12 and May 31Credit: LNP
      Footie fans will be travelling to six Premier League fixtures on May 13.
      Families planning half-term trips later in May, and cricket fans heading to the England vs Ireland Test match at Lord’s also face chaos.
      Downing Street called the walkouts “incredibly disappointing”.
      A No10 spokesman said: “We believe the offer that’s on the table is fair and reasonable.”
      Tory MP Greg Smith, who sits on the Transport Select Committee, said: “Unbelievable that Aslef want to inflict more misery on the great British public at such an important time in the sporting calendar.
      “They need to understand the damage they are doing and reflect on the high salaries they enjoy.”
      Tory MP Caroline Dinenage said of the song contest final: “This is Ukraine’s Eurovision and British people have put their heart and soul into doing it justice for them.
      “It feels heartless to deprive Ukrainian people the rare opportunity for escapism after everything they have endured.”
      The strikes will heap further pain on pubs and restaurants trying to recover from the pandemic. The sector has lost more than £3billion in sales as a result of the strikes and the high-demand summer ­period will now be impacted.
      Kate Nicholls, of UK Hospitality, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating that almost a year on from the start of this dispute, there appears to be no resolution in sight.”
      Aslef announced its strikes after a meeting of the executive. Mr Whelan described the new pay offer of eight per cent over two years as “risible”.
      He said: “The proposal was clearly not designed to be accepted as inflation is still running north of ten per cent and our members at these companies have not had an increase for four years.”
      The union said all non-contractual overtime from May 15 for six days and also on ­Saturday 13 and Thursday June 1 will be withdrawn, which will likely affect services.
      The RMT turned down an offer which included a first-year payment of five per cent but only if no ­further walkouts would take place
      Aslef general secretary Mick ­Whelan, who enjoys a £151,371-a- year package, has a desk full of Chelsea memorabiliaCredit: Getty
      Aslef president David Calfe is an Arsenal fan, whose team lost 4-1 to City in Wednesday’s title clash
      Boss Mick Lynch said: “We have no alternative but to press ahead with more strike action.”
      Transport Secretary Mark Harper called on Aslef to let its members vote on the deal put forward by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG).
      He said: “It is deeply disappointing that Aslef has decided to call strikes and ban overtime, targeting thousands of people attending the UK’s first Eurovision event in 25 years, including Ukrainians displaced by Putin’s war, and the first all-Manchester FA Cup final.
      “The offer from the RDG included urgent reform to ensure our railways are financially sustainable for the benefit of passengers, workers and the taxpayer as well as delivering a pay rise for members whose salary already averages £60,000.
      “Aslef need to call off strikes and give their members a say on this.”
      Aslef said it had met employers eight times over a year to find a resolution. They claimed they had to hold eight strike days before the Government would even negotiate.
      A union source added: “The teams Mick and Dave support have no bearing on the days action will be taken.”
      They added they have to give 14 days notice to call strikes to try to ensure rosters are filled.
      Read More on The Sun
      The Rail Delivery Group said: “Senselessly targeting Eurovision and the FA Cup final is disappointing for all those planning to attend.
      “We urge Aslef leadership to rejoin us at the negotiating table.” More

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      Fuming Man Utd and Man City fans in revolt over ‘crazy’ campaign to make the clubs ditch their historic badges

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      FANS of Manchester United and Manchester City are in revolt over a “crazy” campaign to make them ditch their historic club badges.The crests feature a ship — which Left-wing critics say symbolises the slave trade.
      A campaign to ditch the ship in the badges of Man United and City was slammed as ‘woke nonsense’ – pictured Harry Maguire of Man UnitedCredit: Getty
      The bid comes amid claims it highlights slavery – pictured Jack Grealish of Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Local experts say it actually represents the city’s proud free trade history.
      Local MP Graham Stringer said: “Manchester had nothing to do with the slave trade.”
      The campaign was denounced as “woke nonsense” yesterday.
      Fans, politicians and historians insisted the three-masted vessel was a proud symbol of the city’s global free trade links and must stay on shirts.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      Left-wing critics have called for its removal — despite slavery being abolished in this country long before United or City were formed.
      Both clubs refused to comment but last night sources stressed they had no plans to modify their crests, which branding experts said would cost millions.
      Local Labour MP Graham Stringer said the “crazy” claim tarnished the northern city’s proud history of anti-discrimination.
      He added: “Manchester had nothing to do with the slave trade.
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      “People from the city at the time of the US Civil War in 1861 ­protested against slavery.
      “This is one of the craziest campaigns I have ever seen.”
      Guardian commentator Simon Hattenstone yesterday questioned whether the ship was a symbol of a “crime against humanity”.
      He said the area’s cotton mills thrived as a result of the crop picked by US slaves.
      The newspaper has recently apologised for what it considers to be its own links to the slave trade.
      He wrote: “The ship has nothing to do with football and everything to do with the business from which Manchester made its money.
      “The product of slavery became so ­subtly embedded in our culture that we celebrated it in our club badges even without realising it.”
      However local experts said ­Lancashire mill workers at the time refused on principle to deal with cotton picked by slaves.
      United historian JP O’Neill, who authored Red Rebels: United and the FC Revolution, said of Hattenstone: “His ‘logic’ is as ridiculous as it is contradictory.
      “Not only did the club badges long post-date the abolition of slavery, the clubs themselves were only founded decades after slavery was ended.
      “The first ship to arrive in Manchester came in 1894 with the opening of the Ship Canal.
      “In Manchester, cotton workers during the American Civil War refused to work with slave-picked cotton, ­putting their livelihoods at risk.”
      Tory MP Katherine Fletcher, who is from Wythenshawe and a United season-ticket holder, added: “I’ve always seen the ship logo as a symbol of our industrial trading heritage.
      “Manchester people are some of the most even-handed and welcoming in the world.”
      Historian Jonathan Schofield added: “It’s a symbol of free trade.
      “The idea is we will have equality throughout the world because ­people will have the same rights to do business with each other.”
      It is claimed the ships derive from Manchester’s coat of arms, adopted in 1842.
      That was 35 years after the slave trade had been outlawed in the British Empire.
      Manchester City was not established in its current form until 1894 while United switched from Newton Heath in 1902.
      Fans at the stadiums yesterday advised campaigners to steer clear of their club’s badges.
      Pilot Mike Goldstein, 57, who has been going to City games since he was eight, said: “It’s just woke nonsense.
      “You can’t keep on going back.
      “It’d be like being mad at the Italians for the Roman Empire.”
      Sitting on a bench outside Old Trafford, Man United fan Peter Shaw, 34, said: “It’s ridiculous to remove it.
      “It’s celebrating the Ship Canal and nothing to do with the slave trade.”
      Pallet fitter Joe Burazin, 21, added: “It’s part of the club’s heritage.
      “These people should keep their hands off.”
      Chef and United fan Jamie Parkhouse, 37, said: “People are rightly asking questions about the slave trade but this shouldn’t be one of them.
      “The badge is about the Manchester Ship Canal and not slaves.
      “To link the badge and the slave trade is so over-the-top.”
      Fans also vented online.
      One tweeted: “It’s a picture of a ship not a ‘slave’ ship.
      “Why do you lot continually try and find offence when none is there? Pathetic.”
      James Delaney added: “So not really a symbol of slavery at all.
      “More like a symbol of early global commerce and Britain’s dominance of it.”
      A branding expert warned modifying the badges would cost millions.
      It comes after other sports teams including the NFL’s Washington Redskins have changed their name after criticism from indigenous groups.
      Nigel Currie said: “It would be a huge and expensive operation to change the United and City club crests.
      “They have been around for decades and every replica shirt ever sold has them — literally millions of shirts which can’t be changed.
      “The link with slavery is not nearly as strong or as clear as other potentially damaging historical links for sports teams.
      “The cost to the clubs would be extremely high and the rationale for changing doesn’t sound strong and indeed there is debate over what the actual ships represent.
      “While that debate remains, a change would seem unlikely.”
      Last month The Guardian revealed that its founder John Edward Taylor was partners with companies which im­ported cotton picked by slaves.
      At least nine of his 11 financial backers also had links to slavery.
      Last night, Luthfur ­Rahman, the deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said: “We’re an industrious, international, multicultural city and have long been so.”
      Work is under way to explore its past.
      Read More on The Sun
      He added: “We’re in the ­middle of a long-term project that began in 2020 to highlight and reflect on aspects of the city’s past, including the city’s black history and connections to the slave trade.”
      Both clubs refused to comment as sources stressed they had no plans to modify the crests – pictured Manchester United’s badgeCredit: Getty Images
      Fans, politicians and historians insisted the vessel was a proud symbol of the city’s global trading links – pictured Manchester City’s badgeCredit: Manchester City FC
      Pilot Mike Goldstein, 57, who has been going to City games since he was eight, said: ‘It’s just woke nonsense’Credit: Byline Pictures Ltd More

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      Why Gary Lineker will not appear on BBC Match of the Day tonight after furious tweet row

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      GARY LINEKER will NOT be returning to host Match of the Day later tonight.However, the 62-year-old will make his first appearance on the BBC since he was told to step back from hosting Match Of The Day after his Nazi tweet storm.
      Gary Lineker will return to BBC screens today after his tweet rowCredit: PA
      The England legend will not be hosting Match of the Day on Saturday nightCredit: BBC
      Lineker came under fire from MPs as a weekend of chaos saw schedules changed last-minute and a different format for Match Of The Day.
      The BBC’s star presenter had been suspended from his duties and faced a backlash following a tweet criticising Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan.
      The mayhem erupted after Lineker criticised Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s small boats plan which will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Lineker faced fury after he likened the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy to 1930s Germany.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      He 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”.
      Last Friday, the broadcaster revealed 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 or commentary.
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      Lineker faced a wave of fury over the crisis after he failed to apologise himself for his tweet.
      BBC director-general Tim Davie, who made the call to suspend Lineker, faced an embarrassing climbdown just 72 hours later when he decided to reverse the decision.
      Mr Davie said in a statement the corporation has commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines, particularly for freelancers.
      He also apologised for the impartiality row and said a review of the BBC’s social media guidelines would take place.
      Mr Davie described the BBC’s commitment to freedom of expression and impartiality as a “difficult balancing act”.
      Lineker then tweeted that he was “delighted” to have navigated a way through the row after a “surreal few days” ahead of his return.
      But he will not be in the famous chair tonight for the iconic Saturday night footy show.
      Instead, he will front the BBC’s FA Cup coverage of Man City vs Burnley today.
      Mark Chapman is due to host the Match Of The Day highlights show later. More

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      Gary Lineker sends cheeky message to BBC with new Twitter profile picture

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      GARY Lineker has made a dig at the BBC with his cheeky new Twitter profile picture just days after a row over his tweets.The former footballer appears to have fired a shot at the broadcaster as he poses up in front of a George Orwell quote outside the London headquarters.
      Gary Lineker made a dig at the BBC with his new Twitter profile pictureCredit: Twitter
      The presenter sparked rows after he criticised Suella Braverman’s small boats planCredit: Getty
      The words, written next to a statue of the 1984 author, read: “If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
      It comes as the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, on £1.35million a year, had been suspended from his Match of the Day presenting duties, following a tweet criticising Suella Braverman’s migrant boats plan.
      Lineker took to Twitter to hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans people who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain.
      He 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?”

      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 and remain impartial.
      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 Match of The Day, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer also stepped back from the show in support if their colleague.
      Wright tweeted: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.”
      Most read in Football
      Alan Shearer quickly followed suit and said: “I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.”
      Alex Scott, Jermaine Jenas, Micah Richards and Mark Chapman also banded together in support of Lineker, meaning Match of the Day went ahead without a presenter, pundits or commentary on the broadcast.
      It meant Match Of The Day ran for just 20 minutes on Saturday – without commentary or even the iconic theme tune.
      Disruption caused by the sudden staff uprising also saw Football Focus, Final Score, the Fighting Talk podcast and 5Live’s 606 football phone in cancelled.
      And Match Of The Day 2 ran for just 14 minutes, again with no commentary or presenters.
      However, Lineker’s return was announced on Monday as he agreed to abide by existing guidelines and welcomed a new independent review into BBC stars’ use of social media.
      But, it remains up in the air how strict any new regulations will be and how long the process will take.
      Lineker said: “I am glad we have found a way forward. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.”
      The commentator also broke his Twitter silence to double-down on his remarks after what he branded a “surreal few days”.
      He 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.”
      Under-fire BBC chief Tim Davie, previously said: “Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this. The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance is recognised.
      “The BBC has a commitment to impartiality and a commitment to freedom of expression. That is a difficult balancing act where people are subject to different contracts and on-air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles.”
      The TV regulator’s CEO Melanie Dawes told MPs its rules around staff tweeting were too ambiguous.
      Ms Dawes told the Commons Culture Committee it needed to establish “a level of trust about what they require of the people who work for them”.
      She said: “This goes straight to the heart of the BBC’s wider reputation beyond their news and current affairs coverage.
      “They need to look at the guidelines and see whether they’re still right.”
      Lineker’s failure to apologise over the row has 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.
      Read More on The Sun
      “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 broke his silence and said ‘I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday’Credit: Getty More

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      BBC needs to overhaul rules to regain trust after Gary Lineker’s Nazi tweet row, Ofcom warns

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      THE BBC needs to overhaul its social media rules to regain trust in the wake of the Gary Lineker row, Ofcom’s boss warned.It was told to lose the grey area which led to the Match of the Day host being suspended then reinstated over his remark about migration policy.
      Ofcom has urged the BBC to overhaul social media policy in order to regain public trust, following the Gary Lineker tweet debacleCredit: BBC
      The TV regulator’s CEO Melanie Dawes told MPs its rules around staff tweeting were too ambiguous.
      Under-fire BBC chief Tim Davie has launched a review into social media use after Lineker, 62, likened the Government’s language over its Immigration Bill to 1930s Germany.
      Ms Dawes told the Commons Culture Committee it needed to establish “a level of trust about what they require of the people who work for them”.
      She said: “This goes straight to the heart of the BBC’s wider reputation beyond their news and current affairs coverage.
      READ MORE ON BBC
      “They need to look at the guidelines and see whether they’re still right.”
      It came as Culture Minister Julia Lopez claimed the licence fee was losing support among the public.
      Tory MPs also accused the corporation of caving in to “out of touch, insensitive, avaricious, smug and arrogant football pundits”.
      Ex-minister Damian Green called on “presenters whose reputations and bank balances are enhanced by regular appearances” to show self-restraint online.
      Most read in Football
      Shadow culture secretary Lucy Powell was also criticised for comparing the Government’s handling of the row to “Putin’s Russia”. More

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      BBC in ‘civil war’ over Gary Lineker climbdown as staff fear MORE stars will score political points in ‘free for all’

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      A CIVIL war has erupted at the BBC after bosses apologised to Gary Lineker following a row over his inflammatory migrant tweets.The broadcaster announced yesterday Lineker would return to hosting duties for this weekend’s FA Cup action.
      Gary Lineker was re-instated yesterday but attracted criticism for his failure to apologiseCredit: Getty
      Director General Tim Davie apologised for the “difficult period” for staff, presenters and audiences and revealed a review of social media guidelines would be launched.
      But Lineker, 62, faced a wave of fury over the crisis after he failed to apologise himself for his tweet comparing the government’s new migrant plan to 1930s Germany.
      The comment attracted criticism from MPs and was branded “offensive” by the Home Secretary.
      It is understood staff are now split over the decision to re-instate the veteran pundit – with some accusing the BBC of being “spineless”.
      Read more on the row
      Lee Anderson, deputy chairman of the Conservatives, told The Telegraph: “In football, no player is bigger than the club – but Lineker has shown he is bigger than the BBC.”
      Others fear the climbdown will lead to a “free for all” of BBC presenters and journalists expressing political opinions online.
      While some senior figures reportedly believe the £1.36million-a-year presenter has done untold damage to the BBC’s reputation.
      Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet, said: “Gary Lineker is paid a seven-figure sum annually from BBC licence payers to present football.
      Most read in Football
      “The BBC capitulation with an apology and carte blanche to do as he pleases on social media is remarkable.
      “He can now seemingly push his highly political anti-government agenda and cause offence to many with impunity. I know of no other employer who would permit this.”
      Lineker said in a brief statement he is “glad we have found a way forward” and threw his support behind the planned review.
      The commentator also broke his Twitter silence to double-down on his remarks after what he branded a “surreal few days”.

      He 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.”
      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 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.
      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.
      But Lineker’s fellow stars believe the decision is a “victory” for them as as the “BBC blinked first”.
      There is now also a “huge rift” in the sport department with some staff left outraged by how the row played out, Daily Mail reports.
      According to the newspaper, fuming workers confronted director of sport Barbara Slater over how the saga was handled.
      Senior political figures – including Jacob Rees-Mogg – have now joined growing calls for the licence fee to be scrapped in the wake of the controversy.
      Backbencher Philip Davies said: “This pathetic capitulation by the BBC is the start of the end for the licence fee.”
      While Tory MP Marco Longhi told the Sun: “This looks like a BBC capitulation and that its Royal Charter and ethos around impartiality has been trashed.”
      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 broadcaster said the pundit’s comments were a “breach of our guidelines”.
      Ms Braverman later branded his comments “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 Lineker 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.
      Announcing Lineker’s re-instatement yesterday, Mr Davie said: “Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this.
      “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.”
      Director-General Tim Davie announced a review into social media guidelines would be launchedCredit: AFP
      Lineker will return to the BBC this weekend for Man City’s clash against BurnleyCredit: Alamy
      The BBC has been slammed for apologising to the starCredit: Getty
      Read More on The Sun More

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      BBC bosses accused of ‘pathetic capitulation’ after letting Match of the Day’s Gary Lineker back on air without apology

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      BBC bosses were accused of “pathetic capitulation” last night after letting Gary Lineker back on air without any apology or punishment over his migrant tweet.In an astonishing surrender, Director-general Tim Davie said the star will return to Match of the Day this Saturday.
      BBC bosses have let Gary Lineker back on air without any apology or punishmentCredit: Reuters
      Lineker with footie ace Ian Wright and Alan Shearer on the set of MOTDCredit: BBC
      Director-general Tim Davie said the TV pundit will return to Match of the Day this SaturdayCredit: Ruckas
      And, while Lineker has not said sorry for comparing the language used about Channel migrants to that in Nazi Germany, Mr Davie announced that he personally was sorry for the resulting chaos.
      In a new series of tweets, former Spurs and England striker Lineker seemed unrepentant and thanked his supporters.
      Meanwhile No10 refused to say it has confidence in Mr Davie — and Tory MPs called for the licence fee to now be axed.
      Backbencher Philip Davies piled in: “This pathetic capitulation by the BBC is the start of the end for the licence fee.”
      Read More on Gary Lineker
      Tom Hunt, deputy chair of the Conservative Common Sense Group, told The Sun: “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.”
      And ex-Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “The issue is that the BBC is the state broadcaster and that it’s funded by a tax. If it weren’t, then we wouldn’t need to worry about its impartiality.”
      Mr Davie sought to package the agreement with Lineker as a compromise, which would bring an end to days of disrupted coverage on BBC sport.
      A new independent review into BBC stars’ use of social media was announced.
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      But it remains unclear how strict any new regulations imposed by the review will be — or even how long that process will take.
      A BBC source said: “This is a short term solution to dampen the flames. Both sides agreed things were getting out of hand.
      “But the problem hasn’t gone away by any means. It’s just been kicked into longer grass
      “Clearly the rules need addressing, tightening and perhaps more strictly enforcing — but that’s all for the independent panel to decide.
      “Whether presenters like Gary choose to agree to the new rules is a different matter.”
      Lineker, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter on £1.35million a year, has agreed to abide by existing guidelines and welcomed the review.
      He said: “I am glad we have found a way forward. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.”
      After the statement was released, Lineker tweeted his thanks to colleagues after a “surreal few days”.
      Pundits, led by Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, refused to appear on Match of the Day while Lineker was suspended.
      Commentators joined in, plunging BBC Sport’s coverage into chaos.
      Lineker added that “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”.
      Mr Davie said: “Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this. The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance is recognised.
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      “The BBC has a commitment to impartiality and a commitment to freedom of expression. That is a difficult balancing act where people are subject to different contracts and on-air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles.”
      PM Rishi Sunak was “glad” the issue had been resolved and “looked forward to watching Match Of The Day back on our TV screens”.
      Gary Lineker has not said sorry for comparing the language used about Channel migrants to that in Nazi GermanyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Lineker continues to have his say on Twitter after the BBC announced his return More

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      BBC to make statement on Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day future TODAY after he broke impartiality rules

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      THE BBC will make an announcement on Gary Lineker’s future today following an impartiality row over his inflammatory migrant tweets.Crunch talks are being held after a weekend of chaos saw schedules changed last-minute and a different format for Match Of The Day.
      Gary Lineker will learn his BBC fate todayCredit: Pixel8000
      The Sun revealed today how Lineker, 62, is set to host the BBC’s FA Cup coverage this weekend.
      A statement is expected to be released today confirming the next steps.
      It is believed Lineker will agree to be more careful about what he tweets in the future, while the BBC will likely review its social media guidelines.
      But his potential return could spark a new row between the broadcaster and Tory party if the £1.35million-a-year star fails to apologise.
      Read more on the row
      The mayhem 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.
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      “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 branded the controversial remarks as “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, plunging the football analysis show into crisis.
      Saturday’s night show then 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.
      Director General Tim 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.”
      But a potential decision to review the BBC’s social media guidelines could prove an own goal for Mr Davie as they were written at his request to include the “Lineker Clause”.
      This stated higher-profile presenters had an extra responsibility to avoid taking sides on political issues.
      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
      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