BBC chief apologizes for sacking Lineker over criticism of government
After the suspension of Gary Lineker and the withdrawal of other stars, the Match of the Day program aired as a 20-minute cut of the best moments of the matches. BBC CEO admits he’s had a ‘hard day’
Gary Lineker
(Фото: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
BBC Director General Tim Davey brought an apology for disrupting the Match of the Day sports program following the suspension of commentator Gary Lineker for political remarks.
Lineker has previously compared the UK government’s rhetoric to Germany in the 1930s, criticizing a bill against illegal migrants. As a token of Lineker’s support, former England internationals Ian Wright and Alan Shearer also withdrew from the programme, resulting in Saturday’s Match of the Day being a 20-minute internoise recap of highlights. Also, due to the refusal of journalists and presenters, the release of Football Focus, Final Score and the Fighting Talk radio show was disrupted.
Davey acknowledged that it had been a “difficult day” for the corporation, but said the BBC was “working very hard to resolve the situation”.
“It will be a success for me to bring Gary back on the air and together bring world-class sports coverage to viewers,” said the BBC CEO.
Davey also said he had no intention of resigning amid the scandal and that the media corporation “did not pander” to any political party in the Lineker decision.
BBC loses all star presenters due to Gary Lineker’s suspension
Lineker, a former English international, has hosted Match of the Day since 1999 and is one of the highest paid commentators, earning $1.63 million a year. The BBC said on March 10 that the 62-year-old Lineker would only be returned to the air after the rules for using social networks were agreed with him.
Criticism of Lineker called plans governments to ban people entering the UK illegally from ever seeking asylum.
