Tim Davie has apologised for the ‘difficult period’
Gary Lineker and BBC management have reached a deal to get the presenter back on air, after the weekend’s disruption to BBC Sport schedules.
The BBC has apologised to Lineker for the saga, with Director General Tim Davie admitting there are “grey areas” in the corporations social media guidelines.
Davie said: “Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend.”
In a statement, Davie also announced the BBC will launch an independent review into its social media guidelines, with a particular focus on freelancers outside news and current affairs like Lineker.
He continued: “Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this.”
Davie also recognises the “potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance” that was introduced in 2020, adding he wants to “get matters resolved and our sport content back on air”.
He added that impartiality is “”important to the BBC and the public as a whole, noting the corporation has a “commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression”.
Gary Lineker said in a statement on Twitter: “After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming.”
He continued: “I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.”
He finished by saying: “However difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you.
“We remain a country of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous people. Thank you.”
The BBC will be airing two FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend: Manchester City vs Burnley and Brighton vs Grimsby Town.
On Friday, Lineker was asked to step back from his role as Match of the Day host because of a tweet he published about the current government immigration policy.
The former England striker compared the policy to “Germany in the 30s,” which the BBC believed breached impartiality guidelines.
After he refused to make an apologetic statement on the show regarding his comments, the BBC made the decision to leave him off the show.
Following the announcement, a slew of Match of the Day pundits and football journalists across the BBC pulled out of their duties on Saturday and Sunday.
As a result, the BBC’s football coverage over the weekend was severely disrupted.
But the saga has also sparked debate around the level of influence the Tory government has over the corporation.
The BBC’s chair Richard Sharp is currently under investigation for his role in helping Boris Johnson secure a huge loan while he was Prime Minister.
Some have also questioned why Lineker has been pulled up for his comments when the same treatment was seemingly never applied to the likes of Alan Sugar and Andrew Neil.
Related links:
Gary Lineker ‘cried’ after public support from Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, son reveals
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hits out at BBC over Gary Lineker controversy
Ex-BBC boss says axing Gary Lineker was ‘mistaken’
