Gary Lineker will return to Match of the Day after being removed from air due to an impartiality controversy. He was accused of criticizing the government’s new refugee policy.
Tim Davie, director general of the BBC, stated an independent review of social media policy will be conducted.
Gary Lineker expressed his support for the review and his eagerness to return to the airwaves.
He described the previous several days as “unreal” and praised the community for its “amazing support.”
The BBC’s weekend football coverage was interrupted by walkouts prompted by Lineker’s punishment.
Mr. Davie stated in a statement, “Everyone acknowledges that this has been a challenging time for employees, contributors, presenters, and, most importantly, our listeners.
I am sorry for this.
In a tweet last week, Lineker compared the rhetoric used to describe the government’s refugee strategy to that of Nazi Germany.
Conservative ministers, including the home secretary, criticized his remarks about the government’s new Illegal Immigration Bill.
On Friday, Lineker was informed that he must apologize for his comments. He was told he’d not be allowed to host Match of the Day over the weekend if he doesn’t.
When he refused, he was removed from the air, provoking a wave of unprecedented walkouts by other experts and commentators.
Following announcing his return to BBC TV presenting, Lineker tweeted: “As painful the previous few days have been, they pale in comparison to being forced to escape your home due to persecution or war and seek sanctuary in a foreign country.
“It’s nice to see so many of you show compassion for their circumstances.
Since 1999, Lineker has presented Match of the Day and is the BBC’s highest-paid talent, earning around £1.35m in 2020-21. He is hired on a freelance basis
