Star presenter suspended by BBC after tweeting against UK government

UPDATE DAY

The BBC announced on Friday the withdrawal of its star presenter Gary Lineker, after a tweet by the former England soccer player comparing government language on refugees to that of 1930s Germany.< /p>

After the announcement on Tuesday by the Conservative government of a new bill aimed at preventing migrants arriving by the English Channel from seeking asylum in the United Kingdom, Gary Lineker, very active on Twitter, had denounced on this social network ” a cruel policy aimed at the most vulnerable, in a language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 1930s”.

The words of the 62-year-old former England striker, followed by nearly 9 million Internet users, sparked heated controversy in a tense context around immigration issues, but also criticism recurring impartiality aimed at public broadcasting on the part of the British right.

The BBC then said that it was going to “talk” with the presenter of “Match Of The Day”, a program very popular football broadcast every Saturday since 1964.

On Friday, the audiovisual group said it considered “the recent activities (of Mr. Lineker) on social networks as a breach of instructions”.

In response, former English striker, notably for Arsenal, Ian Wright said he would not participate in the show on Saturday, where he usually intervenes as an expert.

“Everything everyone knows what Match Of The Day means to me, but I told the BBC I won't be there tomorrow,” he said on Friday. “Solidarity”.

Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I've told the BBC I won't be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.

— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) March 10, 2023

After the outcry caused by his tweet, Gary Lineker repeated that he assumed his words. On Thursday, he tweeted that he was “very excited” to present his show on Saturday.

Well, it's been an interesting couple of days. Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting @BBCMOTD on Saturday. Thanks again for all your incredible support. It's been overwhelming.

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 9, 2023

Gary Lineker, 48 goals in the English jersey until his retirement in 1994, has presented since 1999 the show ” Match Of The Day” on the BBC.

Nicknamed “Mr Nice” for his impeccable behavior throughout his career, he has since become a star presenter and expresses his political positions without restraint, in particular against the Brexit and pro-migrants.

The new bill, which according to the government aims to put an end to the illegal arrival of migrants through the Channel, has been criticized by the UN and multiple associations of defense of human rights.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has thus accused London of wanting to “end the right of asylum”.