Gary Lineker is return to hosting duties with Match of the Day after the BBC agreed to let him tweet without restrictions, ending a crisis sparked by his criticism of the UK government’s new asylum policy.
The former England international found himself caught up in a social media storm after comparing language used in the British government’s asylum policy to that which could be found in 1930s Germany. He was ordered by the BBC to apologise for his actions, and was stood down from presenting duties after refusing to do so. A show of unity from Lineker’s fellow presenters delivered an unprecedented wave of walkouts and there was no commentary or punditry on offer across the BBC’s weekend football coverage.
Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend,” said BBC director-general Tim Davie.
Lineker, who found support from the likes of Alan Shearer and Ian Wright after it emerged that he would not be hosting MOTD on Saturday night, added: “I am glad that we have found a way forward. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.”
