✕CloseDowning Street brands Gary Lineker’s criticism of asylum policy ‘unacceptable’
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Football Focus and Final Score have been pulled from the BBC’s schedule at the last minute throwing the corporation’s sporting timetable into further chaos.
Football Focus has been replaced by an episode of Bargain Hunt and Final Score has been pulled for The Repair Shop.
It comes after commentators of Match of The Day joined the boycott of the BBC show after the broadcaster announced it will air on Saturday without presenters or pundits.
Former England footballers and MOTD regulars including Alan Shearer and Ian Wright previously pulled out of the show in “solidarity” with Lineker, who was told to “step back” from his position.
The BBC has been criticised by its former director general Greg Dyke, who told the Today programme that the BBC’s decision was “mistaken” and had “undermined its own credibility”.
Lineker has been embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new government asylum policy with 1930s Germany.
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Show latest update
Piers Morgan defends Gary Lineker amid ‘ridiculous’ BBC impartiality row
Piers Morgan has shared messages of support for Gary Lineker after the BBC announced that the presenter would be “stepping back” from hosting Match of the Day.
The former England striker is at the centre of a public debate about impartiality at the BBC, after he compared a video unveiling the government’s asylum policy to rhetoric used in Germany in the 1930s.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC said that Lineker would not continue presenting MOTD until an “agreed and clear position” on his social media use had been reached.
Piers Morgan defends Gary Lineker amid ‘ridiculous’ BBC impartiality row
‘I didn’t agree with what he said, but so what? It’s HIS opinion,’ presenter tweeted.
Joe Middleton11 March 2023 15:001678544875
BBC apologise for ‘limited sport programming this weekend’ in new statement
The broadcaster’s radio and TV timetables have been disrupted as a host of pundits pulled out of shows after Gary Lineker was told to step back from hosting Match Of The Day in a row over impartiality.
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that.
“We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.
“We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon.”
The BBC apologised for the changes to this weekend’s sporting schedule and said it is “working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon”.
Joe Middleton11 March 2023 14:271678544419
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Dave calls on Richard Sharp to resign over Lineker row
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called on BBC chairman Richard Sharp to resign over the Gary Lineker row.
He said: “This saga has shown failure at the very top of the BBC and the dire need to urgently protect their independence.
“We need leadership at the BBC that upholds our proud British values and can withstand today’s consistently turbulent politics and Conservative bullying tactics.
“Sadly, under Richard Sharp’s leadership, this has not been the case: his appointment and position are now totally untenable and he must resign.
“The BBC should be a champion of freedom of speech and must overhaul their current rules and judgment on impartiality. They can’t continue to play by rules that are so one-sided.
“The Conservative Government has systematically attacked and undermined the independence of our BBC. That’s not in the best interests of our country and our democracy and Liberal Democrats will fiercely stand up against this.”
Joe Middleton11 March 2023 14:201678544143
Pictured: Lineker arrives to watch Leicester versus Chelsea
Gary Lineker arriving ahead of the Premier League match at the King Power Stadium, Leicester
(PA)
Joe Middleton11 March 2023 14:151678543383
Everyone who has joined BBC boycott in solidarity with Gary Lineker so far
✕Everyone who has joined BBC boycott in solidarity with Gary Lineker so farJoe Middleton11 March 2023 14:031678543212
Joe Lycett reacts as Match of the Day presenters pull out over Gary Lineker BBC row
Joe Lycett has joked that he is “very much available” to step in for Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker amid his “impartiality” row at the BBC.
The Match of the Day host became emroiled in controversy after comparing the language used to launch a new government asylum policy with 1930s Germany.
On Friday (10 March), the BBC announced it had decided Lineker would take a break from presenting the sports highlights programme. Later that day, his co-hosts Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out of football show in “solidarity” with Lineker.
Joe Lycett reacts as Match of the Day presenters pull out over Gary Lineker BBC row
No presenter or pundits will appear on ‘Match of the Day’ this weekend
Joe Middleton11 March 2023 14:001678542312
Gary Lineker ignores reporters questions as he leaves his London home
✕Gary Lineker ignores reporters questions as he leaves his London homeJoe Middleton11 March 2023 13:451678541183
Defoe stands down from Match of the Day 2
Pundit Jermain Defoe has said he is standing down from his slot on Sunday’s Match Of The Day 2.
The former England striker is the latest pundit to pull out of BBC shows after Gary Lineker was told to step back from hosting the Saturday edition of the football highlights programme in a row over impartiality.
The show is due to go ahead on Saturday evening without a presenter, pundits and several regular commentators, but the broadcaster has not said if Sunday’s version will be affected.
Defoe tweeted: “It’s always such a privilege to work with BBC MOTD. But tomorrow I have taken the decision to stand down from my punditry duties. @GaryLineker.”
Katy Clifton11 March 2023 13:261678540208
Ian Wright: I’ll quit Match of the Day if the BBC sacks Gary Lineker
Former England footballer Ian Wright has said on his podcast that he is “out” and “gone” if the BBC “get rid” of Gary Lineker.
In an episode of Wrighty’s House, aired on Friday before Lineker was told to step back from presenting Match Of The Day (MOTD), Wright called the tweet row “the perfect distraction” for the Government.
Lineker, 62, became embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany on Twitter.
Ian Wright: I’ll quit Match of the Day if the BBC sacks Gary Lineker
Lineker has become embroiled in a row over impartiality
Joe Middleton11 March 2023 13:101678538887
How much is Gary Lineker paid as the BBC’s highest earning presenter?
Gary Lineker is currently at the centre of a BBC impartiality row that’s led to his Match of the Day co-hosts standing down from Saturday (11 March) night’s show.
The former England footballer – who is the highest paid presenter at the BBC – tweeted a comparison of the language used to launch the Conservative government’s new asylum policy with Germany in the 1930s
Shortly after, on Friday (10 March), the BBC announced that Lineker would take a break from presenting the football highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his social media use had been reached.
Isobel Lewis has the details.
How much is Gary Lineker paid as the BBC’s highest earning presenter?
Lineker has been the BBC’s highest paid presenter for five years
Joe Middleton11 March 2023 12:48
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