Gary Lineker is set to continue hosting Match of the Day after BBC director general Tim Davie issued an apology for the disruption to the corporation sports coverage over the weekend.
In a statement Davie also announced plans for an external review of its social media guidance and how it applies to freelancers.
The controversy began when Lineker published a tweet last week criticising the UK Government's immigration policy. He was then stepped down as Match of the Day host with the BBC citing a breach of their social media guidelines as the reason.
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In a show of solidarity with Lineker his co-pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer both withdrew their services as did MOTD's commentary team. This meant a dramatically shortened 'Premier League Goals' highlights show without commentary was shown on Saturday and Sunday night's. The Women's Super League match between Chelsea and Manchester United on Sunday was shown on the BBC without any pre-match presentation and with world feed commentary. A host of other sports programmes across the corporation were either cancelled or heavily altered as a result of the fallout.
Lineker welcomed the news of he re-instatement by tweeting, "After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming.
"I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.
"A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you."
The BBc statement read, "Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this. The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.
"Impartiality is important to the BBC. It is also important to the public. The BBC has a commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression. That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles. The BBC’s social media guidance is designed to help manage these sometimes difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the guidance is up to this task. It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate.
"Accordingly, we are announcing a review led by an independent expert – reporting to the BBC – on its existing social media guidance, with a particular focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news and current affairs. The BBC and myself are aware that Gary is in favour of such a review.
“Shortly, the BBC will announce who will conduct that review. Whilst this work is undertaken, the BBC’s current social media guidance remains in place.
“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.”
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