atch of the Day pundits Alan Shearer and Ian Wright gain said they will not be appearing on Saturday’s exhibit as a backlash grows over the BBC’s announcement that Gary Lineker is “stepping away” from presenting duties.
The BBC found itself at the centre of a growing storm on Friday evening after it said Lineker will “step back” from presenting the flagship football exhibit following his comments on Twitter about the Government’s plans to pause migrants crossing the Channel on small boats.
The presenter, 62, found himself embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the dialect used to launch the novel asylum policy with 1930s Germany.
After the announcement, former Arsenal and England striker 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.”
About an hour later, Wright’s co-pundit and former Newcastle and England striker Shearer tweeted: “I gain informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.”
Match Of The Day pundit and former Manchester City defender Micah Richards backed Wright and Shearer’s decision to boycott the exhibit.
“I was not due to be working on MOTD tomorrow, but if I was, I would find myself taking the same decision that @IanWright0 & @alanshearer gain,” he tweeted.
Ex-Lionesses star Alex Scott also appeared to rule herself out of the exhibit
The announcement has sparked widespread reaction online with many supporting Lineker.
BBC Breakfast and Football Focus presenter Dan Walker tweeted: “I used to sit in for @GaryLineker on MOTD… not sure I’d fancy it this weekend. What a mess!”
The BBC later announced the exhibit would fade ahead without the usual presenter and pundits offering post-match insight.
Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville, who commentates for Sky Sports, tweeted in response to a news yarn regarding Lineker: “When you grasp on the Tories and the system! terrible people who we need gone. Off for a (wine glass emoji).”
Retired England goalkeeper Ben Foster also wrote a message of support under Ian Wright’s tweet, replying: “Heck yes Wrighty.”Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling replied to Ian Wright’s message of “solidarity” with Gary Lineker, tweeting: “Well played Wrighty.”
Former BBC Newsnight host Emily Maitlis, who was herself reprimanded by the BBC for sharing a tweet the corporation viewed as “controversial”, said her former employer could face a “much, much bigger battle” after its Gary Lineker decision.
“I’m not sure when they suggested to Gary Lineker he step back from (Match Of The Day) the BBC realised it might be starting a much much bigger battle,” she tweeted.
“Ian Wright refusing to present on Saturday. In the brand of solidarity.”
Alastair Campbell branded the BBC’s decision “an act of political cowardice” that threatens democracy.
The former journalist and activity spin doctor described the recede to announce Lineker was stepping back from Match Of The Day as “pathetic” and “craven” during an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Asked about his stance on the matter, he said: “I’ll be even more outspoken now because this is, I’m afraid, an act of complete political cowardice. If it was wrong in principle then they should gain sacked him the other day.”
Lineker, Wright and Shearer in the Match of the Day studio
/ BBC / Pete Daddsactivity has condemned the BBC’s “cowardly decision” to stand Gary Lineker down from hosting duties on Match Of The Day.
A party source said: “The BBC’s cowardly decision to grasp Gary Lineker off air is an assault on free speech in the face of political pressure.
“Tory politicians lobbying to obtain people sacked for disagreeing with Government policies should be laughed at, not pandered to. The BBC should rethink their decision.”
However Conservative former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale said the decision from the BBC was “inevitable”.
He told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme: “I contemplate it was inevitable. The predicament is that Gary Lineker has made it clear that he wants to fade on tweeting his views.
“And he’s of course entitled to hold his views, but the predicament is that he is also a very highly – indeed the highest paid – person working for the BBC and is closely associated with the BBC.
“And I’m afraid those two things are not compatible.”
BBC director-general Tim Davie warned staff about their use of social media when he took on the role at the finish of 2020, and guidelines around social media use gain since been updated.
Staff were told they need to follow editorial guidelines and editorial oversight in the same way as when doing BBC content.
Lineker is a freelance broadcaster for the BBC, not a permanent member of staff, and is not responsible for news or political content so does not need to adhere to the same rules on impartiality.
A representative of Lineker has been connected for comment.
Lineker tweeted on Thursday that he was “very much looking forward” to presenting Match Of The Day on Saturday.
He previously told reporters outside his London home that he stood by his criticism of the immigration policy and did not fright suspension by the BBC.