Match of the Day fans were left surprised when Gary Lineker was absent from the show on Saturday. This came after an impartiality row that put his entire career at the BBC in jeopardy just three weeks prior. However, after a backlash from fans, the issue was resolved, and Lineker was allowed to return to the show. BBC Director General Tim Davie stated that Lineker is a valued part of the BBC and that he looks forward to him presenting their coverage in the future.
Despite this agreement, Lineker was not presenting the show on Saturday, leaving fans wondering what had happened. However, Lineker took to Twitter to explain that he was not suspended but was simply on holiday and would be back next week. This reassured fans that Lineker would not be off-air for an extended period.
Lineker’s suspension came after he posted a tweet about Home Secretary Suella Braverman that broke impartiality rules. In response to a video of her setting out the Government’s Migration Bill, Lineker labelled the language being used similar to 1930s Germany. He tweeted, “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?”
The BBC ruled that this tweet broke impartiality rules and suspended Lineker. However, they agreed to review their social media guidelines for presenters who are not covering current affairs. They also allowed Lineker to return to air as long as he agrees to follow the current rules while the new ones are being drawn up.
In conclusion, Match of the Day viewers were surprised when Gary Lineker was absent from the show on Saturday. However, Lineker reassured fans that he was not suspended but was simply on holiday and would be back next week. His suspension came after he posted a tweet about Home Secretary Suella Braverman that broke impartiality rules, but the BBC allowed him to return to air as long as he agrees to follow the current rules while the new ones are being drawn up.