Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer apologized for the disturbance they caused Match of the Day viewers when they returned today, a week after they walked out amid a neutrality row.
The 62-year-old was asked to step back from hosting the BBC’s flagship football show over a tweet comparing the language used to launch a new government policy for asylum seekers with that used in Germany in the 1930s.
With his return on Saturday night, Lineker has joined the studio with Alan Shearer and fellow former England footballer-turned-critic Micah Richards.
At the start of the evening’s show, Shearer said, ‘I just needed to clear it up and wanted to say how upset we were [for] All the fans you missed this past weekend.
It was a really difficult situation for everyone involved, and through no fault of their own, some truly wonderful people on TV and radio were put in an impossible situation, and it just wasn’t fair.
“So, it’s good to get back to normal life and talk about football.”
“I echo those sentiments,” said Lineker.
Gary Lineker returned to Match of the Day a week after the show aired without any presenter after a row over impartiality.
Lineker hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards helped stage the show, with Shearer apologizing to viewers for the “impossible situation” last week.
Lineker has also been filmed greeting former Labor journalist and Labor doctor Alastair Campbell, who is a Burnley supporter and host of The Rest Is Politics – Lineker’s Goalhanger Podcasts production.
Gary Lineker posed for selfies with fans upon his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester
The anchor was presenting BBC coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final match between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.
The former England striker said earlier that it was “fantastic to be here”.
Before going on air, Lineker posted a picture of himself at Manchester’s Etihad Stadium and told his Twitter followers: “Ahhh, a pleasure to be allowed to commit to football.”
He was also filmed greeting former Labor journalist and Labor doctor Alastair Campbell, who is a Burnley supporter and host of The Rest Is Politics – produced by Lineker’s Goalhanger Podcasts.
Broadcaster Mark Chapman would later host the MOTD show – which only aired for 20 minutes this past weekend with no commentary or analysis attached from the presenters.
The Sunday edition also had a similar format and only lasted 15 minutes.
After the episodes aired, the BBC made a humiliating spin, even apologizing to the former footballer and vowing to review its social media guidelines.
On Monday, the BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, said in a statement that the corporation had commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines, particularly for the self-employed.
Mr Davey apologized for what he acknowledged has been a “difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audience” and described the BBC’s commitment to freedom of speech and impartiality as “a difficult balancing act”.
He added: ‘The potential confusion caused by the gray areas of the BBC’s social media guidance introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to work things out and get our sports content back on stream.
Lineker was photographed this morning leaving his home in south London, dressed in a dark suit and charcoal shirt, clutching a coat and bag, before getting into the car.
Asked last night by LaLiga Sports TV how his week has been, the former England striker said: “Really calm. Nothing too much going on. You could say it’s been an interesting week but I’m still here, still punching.”
It’s been so much fun and fulfilling, I’ve had an amazing amount of support from my friends and colleagues which has been very beautiful indeed.
Lineker is back in the studio working on the match before kick-off in the FA Cup quarter-final match between Manchester City and Burnley.
BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker (right) and debater Alan Shearer, return to their television screens after a row over impartiality
People wearing Gary Lineker masks march during a “Stand Up Against Racism” protest march today in George Square in Glasgow.
He said, “The joys of being allowed to hold onto a football!” Along with a picture of him covering Manchester City against Burnley today
Gary Lineker tweeted a picture of ‘team mates’ Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, who backed him over his feud over ‘Nazi’ tweets
Gary Lineker was pictured leaving his home in south London today before returning to television this afternoon
The presenter is set to return to our screens at 5.25pm today to present the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final match between Manchester City and Burnley at the Etihad Stadium.
Lineker’s tweet that started the whole story which led to staff strikes at the BBC following the company’s decision to shut down the MOTD host
Alan Shearer arrives at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester to present live coverage with Gary Lineker of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley on BBC.
Gary Lineker (left) speaks to Alastair Campbell (right) upon his arrival at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester for the BBC’s live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley.
Lineker was photographed this morning leaving his home in south London, dressed in a dark suit and charcoal shirt, clutching a coat and bag, before getting into the car.
This is his first appearance since he was asked to decline to host consecutive Match of the Day (MOTD) due to neutrality.
Lineker, 62, was sacked last week over a tweet comparing the language used to launch the government’s new illegal immigration bill to Germany in the 1930s.
It was totally out of proportion but we were fine. It’s resolved, I feel great, I’m back at work tomorrow and all is well with the world.
Several of Lineker’s BBC Sport colleagues walked out on ‘Solidarity’ last weekend, with highlights much shorter than usual and broadcast without introduction or commentary.
After the BBC’s official statement was published, Lineker tweeted that he was ‘delighted’ to get through the feud after a ‘surreal few days’.
He added: ‘I have presented sport on the BBC for nearly three decades and am incredibly proud to be working with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I can’t wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.
It comes as demonstrators wore Lineker face masks at a pro-refugee rally in Glasgow this morning.
Crowds descended on the Scottish city carrying signs reading “Refugees Welcome” and “Stop Rwanda,” a reference to Soila Braverman’s policy of deporting people arriving in the UK illegally in small boats to the African country.
The Home Secretary doubled down on controversial politics today by making her first visit to Rwanda since taking over the Cabinet.
Ms Braverman said the plan would “serve as a strong deterrent against dangerous and illegal travel”.
The minister also hit back at critics of the deal, saying Rwanda could hold “several thousand” migrants – although none have yet been transferred.
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