‘Cannot wait to get back’: Football icon set to return to BBC flagship show after impartiality row

Gary Lineker will return to present the BBC’s flagship football show Match of the Day after he was forced to take a step back as a result of the impartiality row sparked by his criticism of the UK government’s asylum policy.

The former Leicester City marksman compared the language used by the government to launch its new asylum policy to that of Nazi-era Germany.

The BBC stated Lineker’s comments on social media were a “breach of our guidelines”, adding that the ex-England international shouldn’t take sides on political issues.

Lineker was asked to step back from his role.

The decision led to Lineker’s fellow Match of the Day pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer announcing they wouldn’t appear on the show, while the entire commentary team refused to offer their services in solidarity with Lineker.

After a weekend in which the Match of the Day broadcast was notable for all the wrong reasons, the BBC and Lineker have come to an agreement that will see the latter return to his normal role.

“After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this,” Lineker said on Twitter.

“I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming.

“I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.

“A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away.”

BBC Director-General Tim Davie was looking forward to getting Lineker back in the studio and confirmed in a statement the broadcaster would hold a review into its social media policy to avoid further situations.

“Accordingly, we are announcing a review led by an independent expert - reporting to the BBC - on its existing social media guidance, with a particular focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news and current affairs,” Davie said.

“The BBC and myself are aware that Gary is in favour of such a review.”