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Gary Lineker has been returned to the BBC simply days after being stood down for breaching the broadcaster’s impartiality pointers.
Key factors:
- Gary Lineker was initially stood down over commentary on asylum seeker coverage
- Different Match of the Day workers introduced that they had stepped down in solidarity, inflicting chaos on the weekend
- The BBC will independently overview their social media coverage
The Former England striker, who has hosted Match of the Day (MOTD) since 1999, got here beneath fireplace for his social media commentary on the federal government’s asylum seeker coverage.
The BBC got here beneath strain from ministers after Lineker tweeted criticism of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s coverage, likening the language used about asylum seekers to “that utilized by Germany within the 30s”.
He was stood down on Friday following the feedback, which noticed fellow former gamers Ian Wright and Alan Shearer announce they too wouldn’t be participating within the present.
Quickly after, the MOTD commentary workforce additionally introduced that they had stepped down from their duties, inflicting a number of disruptions throughout BBC Sport’s output over the weekend.
BBC to overview social media coverage
BBC director-general Tim Davie introduced Lineker’s return to the present together with an unbiased knowledgeable overview into the BBC’s present social media steering, with a selected concentrate on the way it applies to freelancers outdoors information and present affairs.
“The BBC has a dedication to impartiality in its constitution and a dedication to freedom of expression,” he mentioned.
“That may be a troublesome balancing act to get proper the place persons are topic to completely different contracts and on-air positions, and with completely different viewers and social media profiles.
“The BBC’s social media steering is designed to assist handle these typically troublesome challenges and I’m conscious there’s a want to make sure that the steering is as much as this job.
“It needs to be clear, proportionate, and acceptable.”
He mentioned it had been a “troublesome interval” for BBC workers and contributors and mentioned the present social media steering had gray areas which prompted potential confusion.
“I need to get issues resolved and our sport content material again on air,” he mentioned.
“Gary is a valued a part of the BBC and I understand how a lot the BBC means to Gary, and I stay up for him presenting our protection this coming weekend.”
Lineker responded to the rehiring on Twitter, calling the occasions “surreal”.
“I am delighted that we have now navigated a manner by this,” he mentioned.
“I need to thanks all for the unimaginable assist, significantly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the exceptional present of solidarity.
“Soccer is a workforce sport however their backing was overwhelming.
“I’ve been presenting sport on the BBC for nearly 3 many years and am immeasurably proud to work with the most effective and fairest broadcaster on this planet.
“I can not wait to get again within the MOTD chair on Saturday.”
He doubled down on the views that first introduced him beneath scrutiny.
“Nevertheless troublesome the previous few days have been, it merely does not evaluate to having to flee your property from persecution or warfare to hunt refuge in a land distant.
“It is heartwarming to have seen the empathy in direction of their plight from so a lot of you.
“We stay a rustic of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and beneficiant folks.”
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