Calls on BBC boss to leave as Gary Lineker is set to return to MOTD

Gary Lineker’s confrontation with the BBC over his tweets ended with his bosses being relegated – and with the company’s CEO in the line of fire instead.

The Match Of The Day host agreed to return as general manager Tim Davie apologized for “grey areas” in his social media impartiality policy and agreed to a review. Critics hailed “surrender,” but Lineker, 62, tweeted his “joy that we’ve found a way through the crisis.” He praised the “solidarity” of colleagues who were striking in support. The walk-out reduced last Saturday’s show to 20 minutes of goals with no commentary, expert knowledge or theme tune. Swoons of other BBC sports have also been hit.

He had been suspended after complaints from politicians for comparing the government’s language regarding its new illegal asylum law as “not dissimilar to that of Germany in the 1930s”.

Following previous breaches, his £1.35million deal signed in 2020 is said to have included an acknowledgment of his added responsibilities thanks to the high profile the show gives him.

Beleaguered BBC leader Richard Sharp, a former Tory donor, has been accused of being “on the job” during the politically charged crisis. Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer said it was untenable

For him to carry on while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak distanced himself.

Mr Sharp is under investigation for helping ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan last year before the government gave him the job.

Mr Sunak said his attitude had “nothing to do with me” and did not support him when asked. His spokesman said: “We are awaiting the outcome of this review.”

But former BBC editor Roger Bolton said of Mr Sharp: “He is silent and we all know why. He failed to do his job at a crucial moment when he had to defend the BBC’s principles of independence and impartiality. He should take the obvious conclusion and resign.’

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Sir Craig Oliver – former BBC newsreader and later Downing Street communications chief – said Lineker’s reinstatement was a surrender. He added: “I think what happened here is Gary Lineker 1, BBC credibility nil.”

Tory MP Philip Davies warned: “His epitaph will read: ‘Gary Lineker – the man who destroyed the BBC royalty.'”

Lineker – who will be hosting the Match Of The Day FA Cup live show on Saturday – expressed no regrets but praised Mr Davie for “doing an almost impossible job of making everyone happy”.

He emphasized: “As difficult as the last few days have been, it is not comparable to having to flee from persecution or war from your homeland to seek refuge in a country far away.”

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