Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have stated that they will not appear Match of the Day tomorrow, in a show of solidarity with the show's host Gary Lineker, after it was announced by the BBC that he would be standing down from his role until they have further discussions on his recent tweets.
Lineker had tweeted his disgust at the Migration Bill introduced by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, comparing the new laws to ones from Nazi Germany, but the issue looked to have been cleared up with Lineker tweeting yesterday:
"Well, it’s been an interesting couple of days. Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting @BBCMOTD on Saturday. Thanks again for all your incredible support. It’s been overwhelming."
However, the controversy continued today with the BBC issuing a statement saying that Lineker would be stepping down from his role, with Sky News reporting that sources close to Lineker have said that he has in fact been forced to step down.
Many journalists and other prominent figures have backed Lineker in the row, most notably Ian Wright and Alan Shearer.
BBC have since released an update, stating that Match of the Day will go ahead without 'studio presentation or punditry.'
However late Friday, the Match of the Day commentators revealed they wouldn't be involved. There was also talk of a wildcat strike by production staff. It's unclear how the show can go ahead.
— Conor McNamara (@ConorMcNamaraIE) March 10, 2023
Ian Wright Shows Commendable Support For Gary Lineker
And here we are pic.twitter.com/7Yw7XXEed3
— Anita Singh (@anitathetweeter) March 10, 2023
I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) March 10, 2023
You’re more than good! ❤️ https://t.co/4L60AkanGn
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 10, 2023
You can help sort a loan for the Prime Minister and run the BBC or you can work for Downing Street and go onto the BBC board, but you cannot present a football show and tweet in defence of refugees https://t.co/iK9B6b2yhd
— Alexander Brown (@AlexofBrown) March 10, 2023
Source close to Gary Lineker says he has not agreed to step back from MOTD - claiming the BBC has taken him off air.
It’s understood Lineker is unwilling to apologise for his tweets and admit he should not have posted them.
The BBC has been approached for comment. https://t.co/w4rhDVcVVE— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) March 10, 2023
The @BBC are cowards. They’re letting down fans, losing a top presenter in @GaryLineker. Brings insight/authority to their coverage in an era when the meek national broadcaster let licence-payers down with live rights. I don’t agree with all GL politics but I respect his values.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) March 10, 2023
Gary Lineker forced to withdraw from his job because of claims of impartiality over his views on the government's asylum system
BBC chairman Richard Sharp has continued in his job after his role in helping to land Boris Johnson an £800,000 loan— Liam Thorp (@LiamThorpECHO) March 10, 2023
Regrettably a weakling BBC is the UK Conservative Government’s broadcasting arm
With a Tory donor chair who helped organise Johnson’s £800,000 deal and a D-G who stood as a Con council cand
BBC hacks were chief spin doctors for PMs Cameron, May & Johnson https://t.co/FfMXNUehxY— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) March 10, 2023
READ HERE: Gary Lineker Reveals Source Of NSFW Prank In BBC Studio
The BBC statement in full:
"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."
SEE ALSO: Maitlis Calls Out BBC After Gary Lineker In Hot Water For Criticising Immigration Bill
