Celebrities support Gary Lineker after Match of Day suspension

Crowds of celebrities have threw their support behind football giant Gary Lineker after it was revealed he will be “resigning” from presenting the game of the day.

Mr Lineker compared the government’s new asylum policy to Germany in the 1930s. The presenter and ex-footballer has since been embroiled in a wide-ranging dispute with the broadcaster, with the language Mr Lineker used being described by one as “violating our policies”. BBC Speaker.

Among the names supporting Mr Lineker is football commentator Ian Wright, who has announced he will not be present game of the day this weekend in solidarity.

Football Saturday host Jeff Stelling responded to the message from Ian Wright, tweeting, “Well played Wrighty.”

Mr Wright is not the only ex-footballer rallying in support. Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville commenting Sky Sportstweeted in response to a message about Mr Lineker:

Former BBC Newsnight Hostess Emily Maitlis, who herself was reprimanded by the BBC for sharing a tweet the company deemed “controversial,” said her former employer could face a “much, much bigger fight” after his decision.

TV presenter Carol Vorderman has applauded Mr Lineker for speaking out against this “appalling and corrupt government”.

Host and author Richard Osman told his followers that the situation was “pathetic for so many reasons”.

Former Blue Peter Moderator Simon Thomas also supported Mr Lineker, stating that “this would not have been the bottom line” had he tweeted his “complete support” for the policy.

It’s not yet clear who will represent him on Saturday’s Match Of The Day.

According to Channel 5, presenter Dan Walker sent a message to Gary Lineker asking: “What’s going on? are you stepping back?”

Mr Lineker replied: “No, they told me I have to resign.”

Labor condemned the BBC’s “cowardly decision” to oust Lineker.

A source for the party said: “The BBC’s cowardly decision to withdraw Gary Lineker is an attack on freedom of expression in the face of political pressure.

“Tory politicians who campaign for people to be sacked for disagreeing with government policy should be laughed at, not supported. The BBC should reconsider its decision.”

Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy said it was “hard to imagine Lineker coming back now”.

This is the latest controversy to hit the company after its chairman Richard Sharp was embroiled in a cousin dispute for helping Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan facility.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie warned staff against social media use when he took on the role in late 2020 and the social media usage guidelines have since been updated.

Staff have been told they must follow editorial guidelines and oversight in the same way as they do when creating BBC content.

MrLineker is a freelance broadcaster for the BBC, not a permanent staff, and is not responsible for news or political content so does not have to abide by the same rules of impartiality.