VETERAN BROADCASTER Gary Lineker will present next week's Match of the Day after the Director General of the BBC apologised for the saga.
Last week Lineker (61) took issue with the UK's Government's new 'Illegal Migration Bill', which bans migrants who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain.
"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 former England forward said in response to a tweet.
The broadcasters editoral guidlines were deemed to have been broken and after this they suspended Lineker from his Match of the Day role.
#ImWithGary
This was the tweet people of twitter spread it far and wide.
GARY LINEKER speaks for the people. pic.twitter.com/p0hPz3J3yL— Steve n Nature (@SpacesSteve) March 9, 2023
The BBC asked Lineker to step back after "extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days".
It "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", the statement read on Friday
It continued: "When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.
Several high-profile broadcasters and pundits offered support to their colleague and also decided not to work on last weekend's football highlights show.
Pundit's Ian Wright and Alan Shearer also refused to come on the show.
The highlights show went ahead with no commentary or insight. It was reduced to a 20-minute segment of just the games with no sound.
Today, Tim Davie The. Director General of the BBC claimed that Lineker would return to the MOTD seat next weekend after positive talks.
The statement read: "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.
"Impartiality is important to the BBC. It is also important to the public. The BBC has a commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression. That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on-air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles.
"The BBC's social media guidance is designed to help manage these sometimes-difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the guidance is up to this task. It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate.
"Accordingly, we are announcing a review led by an independent expert - reporting to the BBC - on its existing social media guidance, with a particular focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news and current affairs. The BBC and myself are aware that Gary is in favour of such a review.
"Shortly, the BBC will announce who will conduct that review. Whilst this work is undertaken, the BBC's current social media guidance remains in place.
"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."
Lineker responded by saying: "After a surreal few days, I'm delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity.
"Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming.
"I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost three 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."
BREAKING: Gary Lineker is due to return to hosting sport for the BBC, SSN understands pic.twitter.com/MW9Ie0qSBi
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 13, 2023
