Status: 03/13/2023 02:58 am
Sports presenter and ex-football player Gary Lineker could return to the BBC next week. He had previously been suspended for criticizing the UK government’s asylum policy on Twitter.
The dispute over the British sports presenter and ex-soccer star Gary Lineker, who was suspended by the BBC, could soon be moving. The BBC reported on Sunday evening that there was hope that the dispute could be settled soon. However, not all disputed points have been resolved.
The tabloid “The Sun” had shortly before quoted unnamed sources, according to which Lineker should be back on the air next week. The broadcaster Sky News reported, citing Lineker’s environment, that he was “hopeful” that the dispute would be resolved in the next 24 hours.
Suspended for criticizing the government
Lineker was suspended from the BBC on Friday for a tweet critical of the government. He accused the British government of using language in connection with refugees that resembled Nazi rhetoric from the 1930s. Lineker violated the guidelines for political neutrality of the public service broadcaster, the BBC justified the step.
Several of Lineker’s colleagues, including ex-professional footballers Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, as well as numerous BBC employees, expressed their solidarity with the presenter and refused to take part in TV and radio programs on football. The country’s most important football show, “Match of the Day”, had to do without a moderator, expert opinions or footballer interviews on Saturday and Sunday. Other programs had to be canceled entirely. Critics accused the BBC and its director general Tim Davie of bowing to government pressure.