British public broadcaster BBC has announced that it is temporarily taking football legend Gary Lineker off the air over comments on Twitter criticizing the government’s immigration policy. In his profile, the former England football star says that Rushi Sunak’s cabinet’s approach to migrants is no different from that of Germany in the 1930s.
There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?
— Gary Lineker ???????? (@GaryLineker) March 7, 2023
The BBC’s decision sparked an outpouring of solidarity for Lineker from some of TV’s most popular faces, as well as footballers. Many people will not show up for work this weekend because of the occasion.
The reason for the scandal was the announced new draft law of the government, which aims to prevent migrants coming across the English Channel from asking for political asylum in Great Britain. This even includes paying France £500m over the next three years to stop migrants.
Following Lineker’s comments, the BBC announced that he would not be presenting Match of the Day, which is hugely popular on the Island. The BBC wants to first reach an agreement on how the TV star uses social media.
Gary Lineker is the BBC’s most popular and highest paid presenter. He has over 9 million followers on social networks and has hosted the show since 1999.
The BBC claims that Lineker’s social media appearance is in breach of media standards. The announcement also added that he should “stay away from taking sides on party and political issues or political controversies.”
With its position, BBS drew all the attention to itself. Many footballers, including recent superstars Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, have this week said they will not accept the BBC’s invitation to be in the studio for the upcoming round of the domestic championship.
Shearer said he would not be replacing his colleague as BBC presenter, and Lineker said in another post that he was not going back on his word.
Alex Scott, who is the presenter of the BBC TV program Football Focus, commented that he is “not feeling well” and will not turn up for work on Saturday.
Other presenters have also pulled out of BBC appearances after the former England football captain was taken off air.
“I decided last night that although I like to focus on football and we’ve had an amazing week winning an SJA award, I just don’t feel right about going on with the show today,” wrote Alex Scott, who is a former England and Arsenal defender.
“Hopefully I’ll be back in the chair next week…” she added.
Jason Mohammad, who hosts BBS’s “Final Score,” also said Saturday that he had stepped down from his show.
“As you know, ‘End Result’ is a TV show that is very close to my heart,” Mohammad wrote on Twitter. “However – I informed the BBC this morning that I will not be presenting the show this afternoon.”
Presenter Kelly Sommers tweeted on Saturday that I would also not be on BBC TV.
Earlier on Saturday, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) said a number of players had offered to show solidarity with Lineker and other experts in the programme.
“The association spoke to its members who wanted to take a common stand and be able to show their support for those who chose not to be part of the program tonight,” the organization said in a statement.
“During these conversations, we have made it clear that as their union we will support any members who may face consequences if they choose not to fulfill their participation commitments.”
