The announcement that Gary Lineker will 'step back' from presenting Match Of The Day over a row about the BBC's impartiality terms has divided opinion. The presenter has been embroiled in an argument after comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum policy with 'that used by Germany in the 30s' in a tweet on Tuesday
The former England striker said the policy set out by Home Secretary Suella Braverman was 'beyond awful'.
On Friday afternoon it was announced Lineker would not be presenting the highlights show until he and the BBC have reached an 'agreed and clear position' on his use of social media.
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A BBC spokesperson said: "The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
"The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match Of The Day until we've got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media. When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.
"We have never said that Gary should be an opinion-free zone, or that he can't have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies."
Henry Winter, chief football writrer at The Times tweeted: "The @BBC are cowards. They're letting down fans, losing a top presenter in @GaryLineker.
"Brings insight/authority to their coverage in an era when the meek national broadcaster let licence-payers down with live rights. I don't agree with all GL politics but I respect his values."
Former Premier League striker turned TV pundit Jan Åge Fjørtoft tweeted: "So BBC, a broadcaster that have shown courage around the world for ages….getting weak and afraid of the British government because an intelligent man like @GaryLineker has an opinion on other things than 442 and VAR….. #embarassing."
Times Radio presenter Stig Abell tweeted: "Because Gary Lineker has an opinion on Twitter, he has to step back from introducing football games on television. That is ridiculous, in my view. Free speech is free speech; we should defend it where we can."
Rock band Reverend and the Makers also tweeted their support, posting: "This is b*******. @GaryLineker is a hero."
Manchester Evening News readers have also been sharing their views on our Facebook page. David Phillips wrote: "Seems that some people only like free speech when what's said is something they agree with."
Carl Chadwick posted: "He was right to say what he wanted. Plus, he was right. Absolute disgrace." And Kara McManus said: "The hilarity of all those screaming about being cancelled constantly, who aren't screaming about cancel culture now..."
But some people agreed with the move. Vic Bones wrote: "A high profile celeb on a high income from the beeb should respect the impartiality guidelines because even though his tweet was made on a personal level it is highly influential just because of position."
And Chris Gyves posted: "I dont think it's the opinion think it's the tone of it. Calling people Nazis is not really a viable argument it's just name calling and Nazi is a pretty strong if not the strongest insult."
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