Gary Lineker will no longer host Match of the Day, the iconic British football show, following the controversy surrounding a tweet he wrote earlier this week, the BBC announced on Friday. In particular, Gary Lineker criticized the British government’s policy towards asylum seekers. Following the BBC’s decision, several commentators and filmmakers showed their solidarity with the former England player.

On Tuesday, Gary Lineker tweeted: “Oh my god, this is beyond terrible” in response to a video released by the UK Home Office announcing the government’s policy on asylum seekers.

Then he wrote: “There is no great influx. We accept far fewer refugees than other major European countries. It is simply an immensely cruel policy directed against the most vulnerable sections of the population in language not unlike that used by Germany in the 1930s, am I not exaggerating?”

BBC: “Should avoid commenting on political controversies”

A subsequent statement from the BBC claimed that the decision to withdraw Lineker came after “extensive discussions” with the former England international and his squad.

“We consider his latest actions on social networks to be a violation of our rules. The BBC has decided that it will stand down from presenting Match of the Day until we have a clear and agreed position on the use of social media. When it comes to football and putting on a show, there’s no one like Gary. I never said that Gary shouldn’t have an opinion or that he can’t have an opinion on issues that concern him, but I did say that he should refrain from commenting on political controversies.”

Match of the Day show boycotted after BBC decision

No presenters or pundits will appear on Match of the Day on Saturday after a series of statements in support of Lineker.

Former footballers Alan Shearer and Ian Wright both announced on Twitter that they had told the BBC they would not be appearing on the show.

“Some of our experts have said they don’t want to be on the show while we try to sort out Gary’s situation. We understand their position and have decided that the program will focus on matches without studio presentations or pundits,” a BBC spokesman said on Friday night.

“BBC appears to have bowed to political pressure to take someone off the grid”

Meanwhile, BECTU, the trade union that represents BBC staff, expressed its dismay at the BBC’s decision.

“This decision of the BBC is deeply disturbing. This will create the appearance of bowing to political pressure from ministers to remove someone from the grid because they disagree with the policies of the current government,” BECTU chief Philippa Childs said.

Lineker has hosted Match of the Day (MOTD) since 1999 and is the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, earning around £1.35m in 2020-21.

Several commentators and presenters have stood in solidarity with Lineker and are refusing to host his show

Following the BBC’s decision, several commentators and filmmakers showed their solidarity with the former England player.

Yes, ex-Arsenal player Alex Scott, who hosted the Football Focus program, took off just a few hours before its release.

“I made the decision last night and although I love my show and have had an incredible week winning the Football Focus award, it doesn’t feel right to go on air today. I hope to be back next week,” said Scott, who is producing the 2021 show.

Kelly Sommers, who was supposed to replace Scott, also refused to host the show.

Jason Mohammad, who hosts another BBC football show, Final Score, also said he would not be on the show.

MOTD commentators Steve Wilson, Conor McNamara, Robin Cowan and Stephen Wyeth said they “didn’t think it would be appropriate for him to be on the show” on Saturday.

In response to the growing boycott, the BBC said the Premier League football highlights show would be broadcast “without studio presentation or pundits” and would instead “focus on the action of the match”.