English former professional footballer Gary Lineker has reached a deal with the BBC which will make him return to corporation’s screens this weekend.
This development comes after he was told by BBC on March 10, 2023, to step back from presenting Match of the Day after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the government’s new asylum policy.
The change in BBC’s decision occurred after a deal was reached. However, the BBC will begin an independent review of its social media guidelines with Focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news, like Lineker.
Lineker takes to Twitter to say he is “immeasurably proud” to work for the BBC and “cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair”
The BBC’s current social media guidance will remain in place while the review is carried out
Director general Tim Davie acknowledges it contains “grey areas” and says enforcing impartiality is a difficult balancing act
He says he has not bowed to pressure from one political party or another.
