BBC football Gary Lineker

2023 - 3 - 13

BBC's flagship soccer show boycotted over Gary Lineker impartiality ... (CNN)

The BBC is facing a boycott of its flagship soccer show "Match of the Day," as well as other soccer coverage, following its announcement that presenter Gary ...

But the decision to take Gary Lineker off air is indefensible. 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?” Lots of non Public Service Broadcasters can accommodate him and his views and he would be better paid.” “I honestly do not believe, despite a lot of the commentary, that this is about left or right,” Davie said. [tweeted](https://twitter.com/NicolaSturgeon/status/1634258493954727949): “As a strong supporter of public service broadcasting, I want to be able to defend the BBC. “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. In an interview with BBC News on Saturday, the broadcaster’s Director General Tim Davie was asked if he should resign over the crisis. “The PFA have been speaking to members who wanted to take a collective position and to be able to show their support for those who have chosen not to be part of tonight’s programme,” the statement added. [announced](https://twitter.com/PFA/status/1634490666276323328/photo/1) on Saturday “players involved in today’s games will not be asked to participate in interviews with Match of the Day.” He added: “There is no huge influx. “The BBC will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that,” a BBC spokesperson said in a statement Saturday.

Gary Lineker: BBC wants former England striker and presenter back ... (Sky Sports)

Saturdays sports coverage on the BBC heavily disrupted after presenters and commentators pulled out in solidarity with Gary Lineker; Match of the Day ...

Why are sections of the media and the press just focussing on Lineker? "What about another member of the BBC board, Sir Robbie Gibb. "Now, the rules are a little bit different depending on what area of the BBC you work in. He is somebody who has helped to arrange an £800,000 loan for the former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. "So, there are a lot of people coming to the support of Lineker and saying why is it that he is being picked on? "But of course, Lineker doesn't work in news or current affairs. For instance, if you work in news and current affairs as a journalist, the rules are very strict. We expect these individuals to avoid taking sides on party political issues or political controversies and to take care when addressing public policy matters." Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he hopes the BBC can resolve its row with Lineker in a "timely manner" but the dispute is not something the government should get involved in. And we understand the strength of feeling which has been generated by this issue. On his own platform he should be able to say what he wants to say." "As a keen sports fan, I know to miss programming is a real blow and I'm sorry about that.

Gary Lineker: BBC talks with presenter 'moving in right direction ... (BBC News)

It is hoped there will be a resolution soon but not all issues are "fully resolved", BBC News understands.

He later tweeted: "Dad is a good man, a good human, and I'm proud of him for standing by his word. He has denied any involvement in the arrangement of a loan for Mr Johnson. But he will always speak up for people who don't have a voice." and that if you attack the captain, the others are going to withdraw their labour." Mr Sharp has resisted calls to quit. Mr Davie told BBC News on Saturday he was in "listening mode" about how to reform impartiality rules for staff outside of the news operation after a "difficult day".

Pressure on BBC chair mounts over Gary Lineker suspension (The Guardian)

Executives race to resolve Match of the Day presenter standoff as senior Tories stop short of backing Richard Sharp on impartiality.

Peter Salmon, a former controller of BBC One and director of sport, said the row was a “mess” and urged Davie to take control of the situation. It later emerged that he had been taken off the airwaves. The 31-year-old wrote on Twitter: “Shouldn’t need to apologise for being a good person and standing by his word. The culture select committee of MPs condemned Sharp for failing to publicly divulge his role. “I think he, at this stage, should be reflecting on whether he’s able to do that very important job,” she told Times Radio. Lineker has said he will not apologise for the tweet, which compared the language used around migration to that in 1930s Germany.

Monday briefing: Why everyone loses in Gary Lineker v the BBC (The Guardian)

In today's newsletter: From football fans to the prime minister, a spat that started over a tweet is sucking everything into its damaging orbit.

[Sign up here](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/12/the-upside-sign-up-for-our-weekly-email) for a weekly roundup of The Upside, sent to you every Sunday [secured a 2-1 victory for Newcastle against Wolves](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/12/newcastle-united-wolves-premier-league-match-report), taking them into fifth spot. [said in his introductory monologue](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/mar/12/will-smith-slap-chris-rock-jokes-jimmy-kimmel-oscars-2023). ( [Here’s an explainer](https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/mar/12/what-is-the-bbcs-social-media-policy-and-what-does-it-mean-for-stars-like-lineker) on the BBC’s social media policy.) Nimo [Simon Hattenstone’s interview](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/13/i-hope-i-havent-killed-anybody-the-pacifist-author-fighting-on-ukraines-frontline)with Vlad Beliavsky (above), a Ukrainian pacifist author now fighting on the frontline, is a memorable portrait of the contradictions the war has forced on his country. Lots more photos from the awards themselves [are here](https://www.theguardian.com/film/gallery/2023/mar/13/oscars-2023-in-pictures). The full list [is here](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/mar/12/oscars-winners-2023-list-in-full-latest-awards-actor-best-picture). [Oliver Johnson has written](https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/12/how-to-read-the-news-like-a-mathematician-from-the-budget-and-hs2-to-covid-and-sport)a helpful guide on how to read the news like a mathematician in order to make better sense of the information that we are presented with. “Every one of us,” adds David Attenborough (who, incidentally, [got five stars for Wild Isles last night](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/mar/12/wild-isles-review-david-attenborough-beautiful-tour-of-britain-is-unmissable-tv)). [is scrambling to secure an emergency deal](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/mar/12/uk-working-on-cash-lifeline-for-tech-firms-hit-by-silicon-valley-bank-collapse)to protect Britain’s tech and life sciences sectors from major losses after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). [will continue talks with Lineker today](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/12/bbc-richard-sharp-gary-lineker-suspension-match-of-the-day) in the hope of getting him back on the air by next week. [Everything Everywhere All at Once has dominated this year’s Oscars](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/mar/12/everything-everywhere-all-at-once-oscars-2023-winner-awards-best-picture), winning seven awards including best picture in a major night for Asian and Asian American representation.

Match of the Day 'meltdown' – Gary Lineker and a chaotic weekend ... (The Athletic)

In trying to deal with the presenter airing his views on social media, the BBC tied itself in knots - here's how the carnage unfolded...

The BBC and myself are aware that Gary is in favour of such a review. “The BBC has noticed some of its high profile non-news presenters in recent years have tweeted and used their social media accounts to make trenchant criticisms of various aspects of politics,” he told The Athletic. Barbara Slater, the BBC’s director of sport, also sent a letter to staff saying sorry for the “impact of the news”. “The future of this — possibly under-threat — institution could depend on this. “There’s a dichotomy between free speech for us and due impartiality for the BBC. This is usually a contractual obligation, putting players and managers in an awkward position given the strength of feeling of many fans about the Lineker issue. The BBC explored the option of finding another presenter but fell short of forcing anyone to do it. Competitors tried to capitalise, with pointed references to new listeners on talkSPORT, the UK’s commercial sport radio station, and a cheeky advert placed outside BBC HQ in central London. 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? Not everybody agrees with everything Lineker tweets or the frequency with which he does it but there is a feeling of solidarity among the production staff with their on-air colleagues. We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon.” Lineker, who supports the review, said he is looking “forward to getting back on air”.

BBC seeks compromise to keep Gary Lineker (Financial Times)

Bosses increasingly confident they can retain sports presenter but pressure mounts on corporation chair to quit.

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