Gary Lineker is taking a 'step back' from presenting Match of the Day until an agreement is reached over his social media use according to a statement issued by the BBC.
The former Tottenham, Barcelona and England striker has been the face of the BBC’s flagship highlights show since 1999 but has come under scrutiny for recent tweets.
Lineker took aim on Twitter at home secretary Suella Braverman after a video was posted of her outlining the Conservative Government’s stance on migrants.
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Lineker, who isn’t afraid of speaking his mind on the platform and was supported by others, tweeted: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful,” before following up with: “There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”
Demands were made that the 62-year-old be suspended or sacked. However, after a meeting with BBC chiefs - whom Lineker is not employed by but has a contract with - he initially revealed he’d be presenting MOTD as usual this Saturday.
But a statement from the broadcaster has confirmed that he won’t be on our screens on Saturday nights until a consensus is reached. The BBC said in a statement Lineker's 'recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.'
It added he should 'keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.'
However, it's now being reported that sources close to Lineker claim he hasn't agreed to step back and that the BBC are taking him off the air.
Ian Wright has also revealed he will not appear as a mark of solidarity with Lineker. In a tweet he wrote, "Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity."
Lineker and Wright's replacements have not been announced by the BBC.
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