[Football] Gary Lineker to step back from presenting MOTD

[Titanic]

Gary Lineker to step back from presenting MOTD

Gary Lineker to step back from presenting Match of the Day until agreement reached on social media use - BBC statement

www.bbc.co.uk

Gary Lineker is to step back from presenting Match of the Day until an agreement is reached on his social media use - BBC statement.
It follows an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the government's new asylum policy.
In a tweet, the presenter had compared the language used by the government to set out its plan to "that used by Germany in the 30s".

 

[Stato]

Well, if you quote Billy Bragg that just about says it all.

It just says that I grew up in the eighties. If you want your union supporting quotes from other sources, there are a couple of 100 years to choose from.
Try the Tolpuddle Museum. https://www.tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk/story

 

[KZNSeagull]

The burning question now is: Will the blue team win Bargain Hunt at 12 or not?

 

[rogersix]

That I really don’t know …a compromise? Not sure how that can happen as things stand ….if one side does back down then my feeling right now it would be the bbc ….just make it clear what exactly the policy is over everyone contracted in whatever way they are ‘employed’ …then if they don’t agree then don’t work for them …..
Who would take MOTD right now..hmm interesting question…..not sure….ask again in a month and maybe that would change ..once the furore has died down I bet someone would jump at it…maybe someone left field (or should that be right lol) who has no allegiance to any of the current crop

it's amusing that the "strikers" can afford to stay out for ever, so the BBC CG and chair must be sweating now.

would you say that party affiliated individuals should not be at the beeb?

 

[Swansman]

Nice to see the Football presenters uniting in this way. Another example of 'stars' believing they are much more important than they really.
There are over 50 million people in the UK so there will be many others willing to take their places. I personally would love to see some fresh faces.

Standing united with your colleague over his rights to express his opinions about a government decision without getting suspended is "example of stars believing they are much more important they really..."?

One could also argue it is a case of stars trying to take some responsibility for once. Lineker could have been quiet and earned his millions. Instead he decided to stand up for his quite altruistic opinions despite the risk of him turning into a persona non grata on English television.

Lineker took a battle for the immigrants. Now his colleagues are taking a battle for the right to criticise government without getting suspended.
You don't understand what it could mean for you and your society if you're always in risk of losing your job if you aren't pro-government. This is the ongoing battle.

You can choose to think "I don't like Lineker and I don't like immigrants so I'm siding with the BBC/Government" or you can think "hmm, maybe this getting suspended or sacked for not liking the government could come back and bite me in the arse the day I might disagree with the government on some subject or another".

 

[Pevenseagull]

Even Jay Blades is going to struggle with restoring a significantly damaged national treasure in 50 minutes.

Bravo

 

[Wozza]

Would have been interesting if Lineker's political stripes were of a different colour and he'd tweeted in support of Sunak's plans and had got dropped as a result.

Well, he obviously wouldn't have got dropped by Tory BBC for that.

Anyway, I think his colleagues are backing his right to work (a legitimate reason to down tools), not necessarily his views.

 

[LamieRobertson]

it's amusing that the "strikers" can afford to stay out for ever, so the BBC CG and chair must be sweating n
would you say that party affiliated individuals should not be at the beeb?

Yep….but where do you draw that line on affiliation

 

[jcdenton08]

Well, he obviously wouldn't have got dropped by Tory BBC for that.

Anyway, I think his colleagues are backing his right to work, not necessarily his views.

But would they back his right to work if he shared views with, say, Laurence Fox.

 

[Billy in Bristol]

Five Live sport gone

 

[LamieRobertson]

Well, he obviously wouldn't have got dropped by Tory BBC for that.

Anyway, I think his colleagues are backing his right to work (a legitimate reason to down tools), not necessarily his views.

You sure that’s not his right to air his views? That’s how I read Ian Wrights comments

 

[Uncle C]

TV? How hard can it be?! LOL

Did you watch Lineker when he started out on MOTD. Talk about amateur hour.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Five Live sport gone

606 next?

 

[Comrade Sam]

Actually proud of the TV and radio football community!

 

[rogersix]

You watch, most of them will come crawling back in a week or two when they want their jobs/money/lifestyle back.

nah, i think davie and sharp to slink of to the shadows first, there positions are untenable,

the nation without footy on the beeb, austerity has gone too far now

 

[Pevenseagull]

Five Live sport gone

Local radio?

That would be a helluva thing

 

[Nobby]

Really? Oh dear ..............

Albion diehard for ever. But you have to stand up to bully boys mate in every way and any way you can

 

[rogersix]

Would have been interesting if Lineker's political stripes were of a different colour and he'd tweeted in support of Sunak's plans and had got dropped as a result. Doubt we'd have seen the scores of presenters dropping out in defence of his right to free speech.

This has little to do with the concept of free speech and rather what kinds of free speech are acceptable. Indeed, we'd probably have seen Wrighty, Shearer and Scott all vying to jump in his grave if he'd espoused pro-government views and was dropped.

in reality tho', no one is going to tweet in support sunak's plans,

good effort

 

[ManOfSussex]

Does the 5 Live sport gone include England v France from Twickenham?

 

[Pevenseagull]

Did you watch Lineker when he started out on MOTD. Talk about amateur hour.

He was pretty bad ... But a lot better at it as an ex-footballer than ND is as an ex Culture Secretary. ... At least he could read.

 

[Official Old Man]

Looks like nothing at all on BBC TV or Radio today. Will BBC Sussex still have game?