Gary Lineker, BBC’s high-profile presenter pulled off air for making controversial asylum remarks

By Pavel Joseph

The presenter of BBC’s popular football highlights program, Match of the Day, has been involved in a violation of the corporation’s editorial guidelines, which might see him end his 24-year stint on the show.

Gary Lineker’s recent remarks about UK Home Secretary, Suella Braverman’s new immigration policy, sparked a row with politicians, colleagues, and the public.

The former Leicester City striker said Suella Braverman’s immigration bill was “an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in a language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.

Several politicians have described his statements made via Twitter, as “disappointing”. The 62-year-old however maintains he stands by his tweets.

In a statement on Friday, the BBC acknowledged the presenter’s prowess, but pointing out that: “We consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines”.

“We have never said that Gary 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.

“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,” the BBC said.

Gary Lineker took over as host of Match of the Day in 1999, after a brilliant football career as a striker for England, Leicester City, Everton, Spurs, and Barcelona.

For the past years, Lineker has been one of BBC’s highest-paid presenters. His current contract is supposed to last till 2025.

Match of the Day viewers were left baffled, Saturday night, as the show was run with no presenter or studio pundits.

They weren’t aware the programme was starting as the theme music was equally scrapped.

“This is the weirdest Match of the Day there will ever be,” a fan said.

Others preferred the new format be maintained, though in most cases it was expressed with hilarity.

“The best MOTD ever, I think it should stay this way”

The BBC has confirmed that Match of the Day 2 this Sunday night will receive the same treatment.

Other sports programmes have equally been affected as the presenters and participants have announced a boycott in solidarity with Gary Lineker.