Former Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has recalled a message he beforehand obtained from a BBC colleague.
Gary Lineker recalled a message he obtained in a WhatsApp group (Picture: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport by way of Getty Photos) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra
Gary Lineker has admitted to being shocked by the loyalty proven by a BBC colleague following his transient suspension from Match of the Day in March 2023. The previous England striker offered the long-running programme from 1999 till 2025.
The 65-year-old got here underneath scrutiny on the time following feedback he made on social media in regards to the authorities’s asylum coverage. He described the plans as “past terrible” and claimed the language used was “not dissimilar to that utilized by Germany within the 30s”. The BBC subsequently said that Lineker wouldn’t current Match of the Day till an settlement might be reached over his social media use. Nonetheless, this determination noticed most of the BBC’s sports activities presenters and pundits stand with Lineker, together with Match of the Day co-star Ian Wright, who knowledgeable the host of his intentions in a WhatsApp group.
We use your sign-up to supply content material in methods you have consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may occasionally embrace adverts from us and third events primarily based on our understanding. You may unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
Associated articles
England supporters brace for World Cup heartbreak with low expectations
Readers debate if Rio Ngumoha needs to be in England’s World Cup squad
“I imply, Wrighty was first,” Lineker recalled when discussing the incident on The Louis Theroux Podcast. “I used to be in a restaurant in London having lunch and obtained the information that they’d taken me off the present, which I noticed on social media.
“They did not inform me personally first, which I believed was a bit unusual. And the day earlier than I used to be having a chat, we had a little bit WhatsApp group chat with Alan [Shearer] and Wrighty and I mentioned, ‘I’ve obtained a sense they could take me off the present,’ and Wright instantly got here again, “Effectively in the event that they try this, I am not doing it in solidarity. I am not doing Match of the Day.’ It was like an actual wow second. As a result of I did not ask them to try this.”
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the most effective sports activities information and rather more on our Fb web page
The scenario led the BBC to air Match of the Day with out commentary or pundits. The published firm subsequently launched a joint assertion from Director-Basic Tim Davie and Lineker confirming that the presenter’s suspension had ended and that the BBC can be reviewing its social media steerage.
Lineker left the BBC in Could 2025 (Picture: Shaun Brooks – CameraSport by way of Getty Photos)
“Everybody recognises this has been a tough interval for employees, contributors, presenters and, most significantly, our audiences,” Davie mentioned in a BBC assertion. “I apologise for this. The potential confusion attributable to the gray areas of the BBC’s social media steerage that was launched in 2020 is recognised. I wish to get issues resolved and our sport content material again on air.”
Reflecting on the incident, Lineker instructed The Louis Theroux Podcast: “I used to be completely comfortable with what I might finished. I believed it was humanitarian, somebody was having an actual dig at me and never in a really good method. I responded, I believed I used to be factually appropriate.”
Lineker finally left Match of the Day on the finish of the 2024/25 season. He was initially scheduled to proceed overlaying the FA Cup and the World Cup 2026 for the BBC, however these plans had been modified in Could 2025 following additional scrutiny over his social media exercise.
The Louis Theroux Podcast is on the market on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts
England’s World Cup 2026 kits Numerous Costs View Deal
Leave a Reply