Gary Lineker latest news: Football Focus and Final Score pulled as BBC meltdown continues
Downing Street calls Gary Lineker’s criticism of asylum policy ‘unacceptable’
Football Focus and Final Score were dropped from the BBC’s schedule at the last minute, throwing further chaos into the company’s sporting schedule.
Football Focus was replaced with an episode of Bargain Hunt and the final score was drawn for The Repair Shop.
It comes after Match of The Day commentators joined the boycott of the BBC show after the broadcaster announced it would air on Saturday without presenters or experts.
Former England footballers and MOTD regulars including Alan Shearer and Ian Wright previously withdrew from the show in “solidarity” with Lineker, who was told to “step down” from his position.
The BBC has been criticized by its former director-general Greg Dyke, who told Today the BBC’s decision was “wrong” and “undermined its own credibility”.
Lineker was embroiled in a dispute over impartiality after comparing the language used to introduce a new government asylum policy to 1930s Germany.
Dion Dublin refuses to work for BBC 5Live
Dion Dublin will not be working on BBC 5Live today in solidarity with his colleagues, he tweeted.
Dublin, a former footballer and regular commentator on the programme, said: “In solidarity with my BBC Sport colleagues NO 5live for me today!”
Joe MiddletonMarch 11, 2023 11:45 am
Marc Webber confirms strike by Final Score reporters
Marc Webber has confirmed reporters working for Final Score, which has now been cancelled, have decided to step down in solidarity with Gary Lineker.
Joe MiddletonMarch 11, 2023 11:43 am
Pictured: Lineker leaves London for home
(REUTERS)
(Getty Images)
(REUTERS)
Joe MiddletonMarch 11, 2023 11:38 am
Football Focus has been replaced by Bargain Hunt and the final score for The Repair Shop has been removed
Football Focus has been replaced by Bargain Hunt in the BBC’s scheduled program for today and Final Score has been dropped for The Repair Shop.
Joe MiddletonMarch 11, 2023 11:27 am
Gary Lineker refuses to answer questions after leaving his home in London
Gary Lineker did not answer reporters’ questions as he left his home in Barnes, south west London, on Saturday morning.
The 62-year-old former England player, dressed in a blue suit, white shirt and blue tie with yellow and red stripes, was quickly escorted into a chauffeur-driven BMW.
He was asked: ‘How do you think this has been handled?’, ‘Is this the end of your BBC career?’, ‘Have you had any discussions with the BBC overnight?’ and ‘Do you expect to resign? ‘ but didn’t answer.
Joe MiddletonMarch 11, 2023 11:23 am
Football Focus replaced with… bargain hunting
Football Focus appears to have been replaced by an extended edition of Bargain Hunt in the BBC’s scheduled program for today.
Joe MiddletonMarch 11, 2023 11:20 am
Tory MP urges ‘hypocritical’ presenters showing solidarity with Lineker to quit BBC
Joe MiddletonMarch 11, 2023 11:13 am
Glenn Murray joins Football Focus and Final Score Walkout
Glenn Murray has confirmed he will not appear on Football Focus or Final Score
He tweeted: I was supposed to be in Media City today, but thinking about it last night, I felt it was the right thing to step back from Focus & Score today. I hope normal service will resume next week.”
Joe MiddletonMarch 11, 2023 11:00 am
Jason Mohammad will not present the final result
Jason Mohammad has confirmed that he will not present a final result this afternoon.
He tweeted: “Tomorrow everyone. As you know, Final Score is a TV show that is very close to my heart. However – I informed the BBC this morning that I will not be presenting the show on BBC One this afternoon.”
Joe MiddletonMarch 11, 2023 10:48 am
What is the BBC’s impartiality policy and does it apply to Gary Lineker?
Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker has been asked to step down from his hosting duties on the BBC show after being embroiled in a dispute over impartiality.
However, a former BBC executive said there was “a lot of confusion” over whether the company’s policies should apply to Lineker, who works as a freelance broadcaster.
Jamie BraidwoodMarch 11, 2023 10:30 am
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gary-lineker-motd-tweets-bbc-latest-news-b2298643.html Gary Lineker latest news: Football Focus and Final Score pulled as BBC meltdown continues
