Gary Lineker ‘steps back’ from MOTD hosting duties

The Corporation have released a statement concerning the ongoing controversy over the face of BBC Sport Gary Lineker and his social media posts concerning Tory policy regarding illegal immigrants.

BBC Sport have confirmed in the statement that Lineker, one of their highest paid faces, will not host Match of the Day tomorrow night. Standing by Gary pundit Ian Wright has also withdrawn from the programme ‘in solidarity’ with his co-star.

Update: A host of other BBC Sport personalities have also stepped aside including the show’s other regular Alan Shearer.

Gary has hosted MOTD since 1999

BBC Spokesperson:

“The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.

“The BBC has 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.

“When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.”

Lineker had tweeted earlier in the week a political view in which he compared the wording of the government’s latest asylum policy to 1930s Nazi Germany. This caused outrage among Jewish groups and Tory ministers.