Bosses are begging Gary Lineker to return to Match of the Day – but he says he will never apologise for giving the Tories a kicking.
BBC sport shows are in chaos as presenters, pundits and commentators down tools in support.
They are furious the Beeb suspended Lineker, 62, for comparing the language around Home Secretary Suella Braverman ’s “cruel” migrant policy with that of 1930s Germany on Twitter.
Tonight Gary’s son George, 31, said of his dad: “He loves Match of the Day. But he won’t ever back down on his word. I’m proud of him, he will always speak up for people who don’t have a voice.
“He is passionate about helping refugee charities – he took in two refugees who he is still in touch with and trying to help.”
He spoke after under-fire director general Tim Davie grovelled to footie fans, heaped praise on Lineker and said he wanted him back.
Mr Davie said: “Gary Lineker is a superb broadcaster, he’s the best in the business.”
He admitted it had been a “difficult day” but said he would not quit, adding: “Success for me is – Gary gets back on air and together we are giving audiences that world-class sports coverage which I’m sorry we haven’t been able to deliver today.”
Tonight's Match of the Day was set to be cut from 90 minutes to 20, without commentary or analysis.
TV’s Football Focus and Final Score, and Radio 5 phone-in 606 were axed as presenters including Ian Wright, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott refused to go on air.
And interviews were scrapped after players and managers refused to be involved.
Tomorrow's MOTD2 was also in jeopardy as host Mark Chapman pulled out of his Radio 5 slot yesterday and ex-England striker Jermain Defoe announced he would not appear.
A TV expert warned that MOTD – the world’s longest running football show and watched by 11 million – could get the boot itself.
Mark Borkowski reckons the BBC may not be able to compete with streaming giants like Amazon when its £211million deal to screen Premier League highlights ends in two years.
He said: “The world around them is changing faster than they can adapt. Most football fans will find coverage elsewhere.”
He said the BBC should have stood by Lineker – like ITV backed Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield over the Queen’s funeral queue row – then “moved him on gently, bringing in new talent”.
And Mr Borkowski said the MOTD fiasco could spark an exodus of talent – as it was reported BT Sport had already offered Lineker a new job.
Ian Wright has already vowed to quit MOTD if the BBC gets rid of Lineker.
Today, fans cheered Lineker as he watched his hometown club Leicester City lose 3-1 to Chelsea.
A MOTD insider said: “Bosses have no idea how to fix the situation. Pundits have all vowed to stay off as long as Lineker is off – and he is adamant he won’t apologise or agree to not do it again.
“There have been walkouts amongst crew. Things could get worse if the BBC gets banned from club press conferences.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer said: “The BBC is not acting impartially by caving in to Tory MPs. They’ve got this one badly wrong and now they’re very, very exposed.”
The Mirror has launched a petition to have Gary Lineker reinstated at the BBC and as the host of Match of the Day. Sign it here.
