The BBC had to cancel a lot of It’s the end of the week sports programming like network Hurry up to stop the escalating crisis over comment it of football Host Gary Lineker for Comments critical of the British government’s new seek refuge policy.
Presenters, analysts and the Premier League players swarmed in support of Lineker is boycotting the airwaves on Saturday, like Britain national The announcer charged of Political bias and suppression of free speech, and received praise from conservative politicians.
The broadcaster only aired “limited sports programmes”. over The weekend after the hosts of a lot of Its popular sports shows declined to appear in symbiosis with Lineker.
the former England captain He was suspended from “The Match of Today, “popular football highlights show After he criticized the government’s plan to detain and deport migrants arriving by boat in Twitter post that compare legislators language About immigrants to be used in Nazi Germany.
instead of of blanket coverage Saturday of most popular league in the worldBBC no preview shows on Radio or TV and no summary in the early evening of the final scores of Premier League games.
Lunchtime TV program Football Focus has been replaced with reset loop of antiques show “Bargain Hunt”, while “Final Score” was swapped earlier in the evening for Repair Workshop.
“match of Today” – late at night program It was a British institution for 60 years – it was reduced from the usual hour and half of highlights The analysis is in a 20-minute compilation of Clips from today gameswithout comment or discussion – just Cheers and jeers from the stadium crowds for soundtrack.
There won’t be any post-match player interviews, either. The Professional Footballers’ Association said some players wanted to boycott the showand as a result “players included in today games He will not be asked to participate in interviews with ‘match of today.'”
the union He said it wascommon logical solution avoid players facing Penalties for breach them broadcast Commitments.
The BBC said it was “sorry for these changes Which we know will be disappointing for BBC Sport fans. We are working hard to resolve mode and hopefully it will soon. “
Even British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak weighed in, urging Lineker and the BBC to settle their dispute.
Gary Lineker was great A talented footballer and presenter. I hope it is current The situation between Gary Lineker and the BBC can be resolved in In due time, but it is a matter of right for them, not government,” He said.
family name
Lineker, 62, was a household name in Britain even before he became the head of “Match of Presenter of the day in 1999.
One of English football’s most acclaimed playersit was the leading Top scorer in the 1986 World Cup and finished with it international Professional life with 48 goals in 80 matches for England.
After retiring from a career that included stints with Barcelona, Tottenham, Everton and Leicester have become Lineker one of The most influential in the UK media BBC figures best-paid starearning £1.35 million ($1.6 million). last year.
excited social media user with 8.7 million Twitter followersLineker has always bothered right-ofCenter for Politicians and Activists with His liberal views, including criticism of Britain decision to leave the European Union.
the latest The controversy began with Tweet on Tuesday from Lineker’s account describing the government’s plan to detain and deport migrants arriving by boat as “immeasurably cruel”. policy Addressed to the most vulnerable people in a language This is not different from the one used by Germany in Thirties.
conservative government He called the Nazi Linker comparison offensive And unacceptable, some lawmakers said it should fire.
In his statement, he doubled the snak down on The government’s plan to deter people from making dangerous voyages across the English Channel in small By boat, saying it was the only one way to break this cycle of misery once and for everyone.”
The BBC said on Friday that Linker “step back”of” matching of Today “so is” the agreement and clear position on for him use of social media. “
Lineker has not yet done so comment publicly, and on Saturday went to his hometown of Leicester watching Leicester City play Chelsea in Premier League. He was welcomed with Cheers from the spectators upon his arrival for a match Chelsea won 3-1.
100-year- Old BBC, funded by a license fee paid by all households with TV, contains duty to be neutral in that it news coverage and the BBC news Employees are prohibited from expressing their political opinions.
Lineker, independently who no work in news or current affairsnot bound by the same rules He crossed the line at times of What the BBC deems acceptable. Last yearBBC found Lineker violated neutrality rules with Tweet about alleged Russian donations from the Conservatives.
The BBC’s impartiality has come under scrutiny of late over It was revealed that her boss, Richard Sharpe – a Tory donor – had helped arrange a loan for Then Prime Minister Boris Johnson in 2021, weeks before Sharp was appointed to the BBC post on The government’s recommendation.
Former BBC Director General Greg Dyke said: network “undermined her credibility” by appearing to bow government pressure.
Keir Starmer, leader of the main The opposition Labor Party said the BBC was “giving up”. into political pressure from conservative lawmakers.
“They got this one in a bad manner wrong And now they are very exposed.”
