Gary Lineker Reflects on Support from BBC Colleagues After Suspension
BBC WhatsApp group message about Gary Lineker left axed MOTD host stunned - 'Wow'
Image: Mirror
Gary Lineker expressed surprise at the support he received from his BBC colleagues after his suspension from Match of the Day in March 2023 due to controversial comments about the government’s asylum policy. Ian Wright's solidarity left Lineker stunned.
- 01Gary Lineker was suspended from Match of the Day in March 2023 after criticizing the UK government's asylum policy.
- 02Colleague Ian Wright showed solidarity by refusing to present the show if Lineker was not reinstated.
- 03The BBC aired Match of the Day without commentary or pundits during the suspension period.
- 04The BBC's director-general Tim Davie acknowledged the confusion surrounding the corporation's social media guidelines.
- 05Lineker ultimately left Match of the Day at the end of the 2024/25 season amid ongoing scrutiny of his social media activity.
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Gary Lineker, who hosted Match of the Day from 1999 to 2025, was taken aback by the strong support he received from colleagues after his suspension in March 2023. This suspension followed his critical remarks about the UK government's asylum policy, which he described as "beyond awful" and reminiscent of language used in 1930s Germany. Following this, many BBC sports presenters, including Ian Wright, rallied behind him. Wright notably stated he would not participate in the show if Lineker was sidelined, which Lineker described as a "wow" moment. The BBC subsequently aired Match of the Day without commentary during this period. Eventually, the BBC lifted Lineker's suspension and announced a review of its social media guidelines. Lineker later departed the show after the 2024/25 season due to increased scrutiny over his social media posts, despite initial plans to continue with FA Cup and World Cup coverage for the BBC.
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The controversy surrounding Lineker's suspension and subsequent support from colleagues highlighted the challenges faced by media organizations regarding social media policies.
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