Gary Lineker BBC Return: Gary Lineker will return to BBC’s Match of the Day show if he is asked. But his son George Lineker has confirmed that he won’t apologize for the tweet that led to the pundit’s suspension. The former England international was cut from hosting Saturday’s iconic highlights show after his remarks comparing the UK Government’s immigration policy to 1930s Germany sparked outrage. Follow Premier League LIVE Updates on Insidesport.IN
“Will he go back to Match of the Day? I think so – he loves Match of the Day. But he won’t ever back down on his word,” George Lineker said.
However, Lineker found support from other show hosts and ex-footballers. Lineker’s suspension brought chaos as fellow pundits and co-hosts stood beside their colleague. BBC chiefs were forced to go ahead with airing the latest show for 20 minutes into playing action-only. But with no show hosts, the broadcaster was forced to cancel most of its football coverage on Saturday. Moreover, MOTD was seen rebranded as ‘Premier League Highlights’ during the broadcast without playing the symbolic theme tune.
Gary Lineker BBC Return: Linekar open to Match of the Day show RETURN, but sets conditions, son George Linekar confirms, Check Details
According to reports in the Mirror, George Lineker expects to see his father back on the BBC’s show. But he won’t back down over his comments. George praised his father as a ‘good man’ who stands by his word.
“That’s why he was pulled off the show – because he wouldn’t apologize. But he will always speak up for people who don’t have a voice,” George said.
“He is passionate about helping refugee charities – he took in two refugees who he is still in touch with and trying to help. It means a lot to him to stand up for people whose only hope is to escape a country with only the clothes on their back. That’s why he’s been so firm,” he added.
Gary Lineker BBC Return: Linekar open to Match of the Day show RETURN, but sets conditions, son George Linekar confirms, Check Details
Meanwhile, BBC Director Tim Davie apologized for the chaos and disruption caused to the show, as he assured sports fans that they were ‘working very hard to resolve this situation.’
The Director says, “As a keen sports fan I know that to miss programming is a real blow and I’m sorry about that. We are working very hard to resolve this situation and make sure we get output on air. I am in listening mode. I want to make sure that going forward we have a workable solution.”
The 62-year-old Leicester City striker was pictured watching the Foxes’ game against Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, as he received a good reaction from the spectators, holding banners in support of him in the stadium.
On the other hand, Prime minister Rishi Sunak was reluctant to comment on the Lineker-BBC row, stating, “a matter for them, not the government’, as he admits that ‘not everyone will always agree” with the new asylum seeker policy.
Gary Lineker BBC Return: Linekar open to Match of the Day show RETURN, but sets conditions, son George Linekar confirms, Check Details
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