Gary Lineker, the presenter of Match of the Day since 1999, has stepped back from his presenting duties until a “clear position” on his social media use is agreed. The BBC has said that Lineker’s criticism of the government’s Illegal Migration Bill on Twitter was a “breach of our guidelines”. Football pundit Mark Chapman is thought to have ruled himself out as host of tonight’s show, following the withdrawal of fellow pundits Alan Shearer, Ian Wright, Jermaine Jenas, Micah Richards and Alex Scott in “solidarity” with Lineker. The boycott was sparked by Lineker’s comparison of the government’s plans to ban migrants arriving on small boats from settling in Britain with “1930s Germany”. The BBC has praised Lineker’s sports coverage as “second to none” but said he should “keep well away from taking sides” on party political topics.
