Gary Lineker 'steps back' from BBC Match of The Day - LIVE reaction and updates

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Will MOTD go ahead this weekend?

BBC director-general Tim Davie dodged questions on whether Match Of The Day will go ahead this weekend following the decision to take Gary Lineker off air.

Asked by reporters whether the programme would be broadcast following announcements from pundits Alan Shearer and Ian Wright that they would be boycotting the show over the move, Mr Davie said: “I absolutely respect people’s right to make that decision and BBC Sport have to look at the programme they’re going to produce for the weekend as normal.”

He was also asked in footage which was shown on the BBC: “If Gary Lineker breached the guidelines, why didn’t you sack him?”

Mr Davie replied: “Well I think we always look to take proportionate action and that’s what we’ve done.”

He said he would not “add to” the corporation’s current statement on the matter but that there had been “very constructive discussions”.

Jermaine Jenas will not appear on MOTD tomorrow

Another BBC football presenter, Jermaine Jenas, has also made his feelings clear:

Former City defender Micah Richards backs MOTD boycott

Match Of The Day pundit and former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has backed Ian Wright and Alan Shearer’s decision to boycott the BBC show on Saturday.

“I was not due to be working on MOTD tomorrow, but if I was, I would find myself taking the same decision that @IanWright0 & @alanshearer have,” he tweeted.

Lib Dems calls for 'properly independent' BBC

The Liberal Democrats said the Gary Lineker row demonstrates the need for a “properly independent” BBC.

The party’s culture spokesperson Jamie Stone said: “Today is a reminder that we need a properly independent BBC that upholds our best British values, is strong enough to stand up to political pressure and defend freedom of speech.

“The Conservatives have consistently tried to attack and undermine that; Liberal Democrats will always resist their attacks which are not in the best interests of the country.”

Jason Manford defends Lineker, saying he's done 'nothing wrong.'

Comedian Jason Manford has called Gary Lineker a 'national treasure' in a tweet amid news the Match Of The Day presenter is stepping back from his role.

Quote-tweeting a post from Labour MP Lucy Powell, which criticised the BBC's response to Lineker's comments as an 'overeaction,' Manford wrote: "what a right royal f**k up this is".

In response, one Twitter user said: "Plenty of other presenters out there." Manford replied: "Nope. Gary Lineker is MOTD and has done nothing wrong. A national treasure hosting a national treasure. No one can present the show now, it’ll have to just be a clips show. But then will the editors, producers, runners etc follow suit? (Altho much harder when you’re actual staff!"

Piers Morgan shares Winston Churchill quote amid Lineker debate

Journalist Piers Morgan, who has spoken out in support of Gary Lineker since he has stepped back from Match Of The Day, tweeted a quote from Winston Churchill.

Posting an image of the former Prime Minister next to a quote, the text read: "Some people's ideas of free speech is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage".

Alan Shearer will not be appearing on Match Of The Day on Saturday

In a tweet, former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer said: “I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.”

It is 'appropriate' for Lineker to step back says former Tory leader

Former Tory leader Lord Hague said it was “appropriate” for Gary Lineker to step back from hosting Match Of The Day.

“He broke the guidelines I think of the BBC with comments that are highly politicised, which BBC presenters are not meant to do. So that’s against the rules and we’ve got to do something about that, otherwise every presenter can do so on every programme,” he told Times Radio. I think it is appropriate for him to step back.”

Lord Hague added “I don’t know if you can separate” Lineker’s personal social media and role as a BBC presenter.

Nicola Sturgeon brands BBC's decision 'indefensible'

Nicola Sturgeon called the BBC’s decision to stand Gary Lineker down from hosting duties on Match Of The Day “indefensible”.

The Scottish First Minister tweeted:

As a strong supporter of public service broadcasting, I want to be able to defend the BBC. But the decision to take @GaryLineker off air is indefensible.

It is undermining free speech in the face of political pressure – & it does always seem to be rightwing pressure it caves to.

Nadine Dorries says Lineker stepping back shows BBC is 'serious about impartiality'

Former culture secretary Nadine Dorries has said she welcomes the decision for GaryLineker to step back from Match Of The Day, saying it shows the BBC is “serious about impartiality”.

“News that @GaryLineker has been stood down for investigation is welcome and shows @BBC are serious about impartiality,” the TalkTV host tweeted. Gary is entitled to his views- free speech is paramount. Lots of non Public Service Broadcasters can accommodate him and his views and he would be better paid.”

Former Labour leader praises Lineker for 'standing up for refugees'

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn praised Gary Lineker and Ian Wright on Twitter. The Islington North MP wrote: “Well done @GaryLineker for standing up for refugees.

“Well done @IanWright0 for showing the meaning of solidarity. Now, let’s mobilise against a politics of cruelty, and defeat this inhumane, illegal & immoral legislation.”

BBC should be 'ashamed' by decision to ask Lineker to step back

Henry Winter, the chief football writer for The Times who has regularly appeared on the BBC’s Radio 5 Live, said the broadcaster should be “ashamed” by its decision to ask Gary Lineker to step back from hosting Match Of The Day.

“Disappointing that coverage of (Match Of The Day) dictated by politicians,” he tweeted. “Not what BBC should be about. BBC should be ashamed. Should be independent of No 10. Ian Wright replaced by Ian Duncan-Smith?

“Many good people working for BBC football who deserve better from their craven bosses.”

Former Liberal Democrat leader to boycott MOTD

Former Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said he would boycott Match Of The Day amid the Gary Lineker row.

Sharing a headline saying the presenter will be “stepping back” from the show, Mr Farron tweeted: “And I will be stepping back from watching the programme until the @BBC grows a backbone. Still, I’m sure we can count on the Free Speech Union to stand up against this hysterical act of cancellation…”

Former BBC exec says there is 'a lot of confusion' around staffing rules for freelancers

Former BBC executive Richard Sambrook told the PA news agency there is “a lot of confusion” around whether freelance broadcasters such as Gary Lineker who do not work in news should be subject to the same rules as permanent staff.

Mr Sambrook, who was director of news at the BBC and director of BBC Global News and the BBC World Service, was asked about the Match Of The Day presenter comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum policy with 1930s Germany and him subsequently “stepping back” from the BBC show.

He replied:

I think the language he used was unnecessarily provocative but the wider question here is whether a sports presenter in his private life has to be bound by BBC policies.

Traditionally, the BBC would always want that to be the case but I think in the current day and age when we live in a world full of social media, when journalism broadcasters have the ability to go and work for other people or do their own podcasts and all the rest of it, that’s a bit of an unrealistic expectation.

So I think unless the BBC recalibrates its relationship with freelancers, then this is just going to happen again and again.

Mr Sambrook also said: “I think there’s quite a lot of confusion about the extent to which the impartiality guidelines extend outside of news and extend to freelancers rather than staff, and until that’s cleared up we’re going to go on having these kinds of (problems).”

Lineker was told to step back by BBC, says Dan Walker

Gary Lineker was told by the BBC to step back from presenting Match Of The Day, according to Channel 5 News presenter Dan Walker, who said he has been in contact with the former footballer.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy says it's 'hard to see Lineker coming back now'

Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy has said it is “hard to see Lineker coming back now” following the news that Gary Lineker will not present Match Of The Day tomorrow.

The journalist tweeted: “Presumably BBC will be asked to explain which of its guidelines were broken and why other regular presenters, contributors, comedians, actors who tweet political views are not in breach. Hard to see Lineker coming back now.”

Ian Wright will not feature on MOTD this weekend

In a tweet stating he would not be featuring on Match Of The Day on Saturday, Ian Wright posted: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow.

“Solidarity.”

Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling replied to Ian Wright’s message of “solidarity” with Gary Lineker, tweeting: “Well played Wrighty.”

Retired England goalkeeper Ben Foster also wrote a message of support under Ian Wright’s tweet, replying: “Heck yes Wrighty.”

Alastair Campbell brands BBC's decision 'act of political cowardice'

Alastair Campbell has branded the BBC’s decision over Gary Lineker’s remarks on Twitter “an act of political cowardice” that threatens democracy.

The former journalist and Labour spin doctor described the move to announce Lineker was stepping back from Match Of The Day as “pathetic” and “craven” during an appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Asked about his stance on the matter, he said: “I’ll be even more outspoken now because this is, I’m afraid, an act of complete political cowardice. If it was wrong in principle then they should have sacked him the other day.”

Mr Campbell contrasted Lineker’s position with those of BBC chairman Richard Sharp and Sir Robbie Gibb, a BBC board member and former communications director for Theresa May.

He said Sir Robbie had “allowed the myth to develop that the BBC was somehow left wing” before going on to work on the Brexit campaign and then returning to the corporation to sit on its board, but that “nobody has doorstepped” him.

Mr Campbell added:

It is absolutely pathetic and craven and it’s happened because… a few Tory MPs and a couple of ministers and the right-wing rags have got themselves worked up into a lather, and as a result of that Gary Lineker has to go.

He described the move as “Trumpian” and “utterly obscene” and accused the BBC of “pander(ing) to a right-wing agenda”, before adding: “What has happened today is about more than a football commentator. It is dangerous to who and what we are as a democracy.”

Dan Walker isn't sure he'd 'fancy' sitting in for Lineker this weekend

Following the news that Gary Lineker will not present Match Of The Day on Saturday, former BBC Breakfast and Football Focus presenter Dan Walker tweeted: “I used to sit in for @GaryLineker on MOTD… not sure I’d fancy it this weekend. What a mess!”

If Lineker had tweeted in support of immigration law 'this would not have been the end result' says presenter

Former Blue Peter presenter Simon Thomas tweeted: “I wonder what the end result would have been had @GaryLineker Tweeted his whole hearted support for the Government’s immigration policy & had used the same inflammatory words like ‘invasion’ that were deployed by @SuellaBraverman?

“This (100 emoji) would not have been the end result.”

Labour condemns 'cowardly decision'

Labour has condemned the BBC’s “cowardly decision” to stand Gary Lineker down from hosting duties on Match Of The Day.

A party source told the Press Association: “The BBC’s cowardly decision to take Gary Lineker off air is an assault on free speech in the face of political pressure.

“Tory politicians lobbying to get people sacked for disagreeing with Government policies should be laughed at, not pandered to. The BBC should rethink their decision.”

Gary Neville tweets in support of Lineker

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville, who commentates for Sky Sports, tweeted in response to a news story regarding Lineker: “When you take on the Tories and the system! Awful people who we need gone. Off for a (wine glass emoji).”

Former Conservative minister says decision 'inevitable'

The BBC’s decision to stand Gary Lineker down from hosting duties on Match Of The Day was “inevitable”, a Conservative former culture secretary has said.

Sir John Whittingdale told BBC Radio 4’s PM programme: “I think it was inevitable.

“The problem is that Gary Lineker has made it clear that he wants to go on tweeting his views.

“And he’s of course entitled to hold his views, but the problem is that he is also a very highly – indeed the highest paid – person working for the BBC and is closely associated with the BBC.

“And I’m afraid those two things are not compatible.”

He added that Lineker is “not entitled” to express his views while being closely associated with the corporation, and that many BBC journalists “have made clear that they don’t like the fact that Gary Lineker has been regularly flouting the rules in this way”.

Richard Osmond slams decision for Lineker to step back as 'pathetic'

Presenter Richard Osman told his followers on Twitter that Gary Lineker stepping back from presenting Match Of The Day until he and the BBC have reached an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media “is pathetic for so many reasons”.

Emily Maitlis: BBC could face 'much much bigger battle'

Former BBC Newsnight host Emily Maitlis, who was herself reprimanded by the BBC for sharing a tweet the corporation viewed as “controversial”, said her former employer could face a “much, much bigger battle” after its Gary Lineker decision.

“I’m not sure when they suggested to Gary Lineker he step back from (Match Of The Day) the BBC realised it might be starting a much much bigger battle,” she tweeted.

“Ian Wright refusing to present on Saturday. In the name of solidarity.”

Dan Walker claims Lineker has told him “they’ve told me I have to step back”

Channel 5 News presenter Dan Walker said Gary Lineker has told him “they’ve (the BBC) told me I have to step back”.

Speaking on Channel 5 News, Walker said: “It’s one of those strange situations where I’m actually texting the man himself (Lineker) at the moment.

“And I have asked Gary Lineker the question about whether he is stepping back or whether the BBC have told him to step back and I’ve told him that if he responds to me that I will read out that text on air.

“There’s one word in there I can’t use, but he has said ‘No, they’ve told me I have to step back’.

“So Gary Lineker wants to continue to present Match Of The Day and is not apologising for what he’s said but he’s said it’s a BBC decision to force him to not present the programme at the moment.”

Foreign secretary says Lineker needs to study the 'history books'

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has suggested Gary Lineker needs to study the “history books” after comparing language around the Government’s asylum policy to 1930s Germany.

Mr Cleverly told LBC radio: “There are some people desperate to gain attention by using deeply offensive and inappropriate language about this and I would gently suggest they use their history books a little bit more carefully.”