At 16 football career Gary Lineker he has never been punished with a red or yellow card. In his later career as a sportscaster and BBC presenter, the politicized former British football star clashed several times with state media executives.

This last one episode from the BBC called one loud national debate about freedom of speech, the influence of government, the weight of contracts, the role of a respected, albeit overworked, broadcaster, and the power of social media.

“Choosing to set an example for Gary Lineker by removing him from the show for criticizing UK government immigration policies on Twitter, BBC ruined a national treasure. In terms of football we also say this own purposecomments the Associated Press in an article titled “from football star, broadcaster and champion of progressivism.”

Chronicles

Lineker, a former England captain and host for the past 20 years of “the most famous football show in the world” Match Of The Day, as the BBC describes it, was removed from the show after his criticism of the Conservative government’s immigration policies.

He denounced “tough policies aimed at the most vulnerable, in language reminiscent of that used in Germany in the 1930s” via his Twitter account, where he has over 8.8 million followers.

There is no big influx. We accept far fewer refugees than other major European countries. It’s just an immeasurably brutal policy aimed at the most vulnerable people in a language no different from what was used in Germany in the 30s, and I’m not okay?

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 7, 2023

Lineker, who has hosted refugees at his home in the past, retweeted a video of Home Secretary Swella Braverman talking about the proposed new law, with the comment: “For God’s sake, this is beyond terrifying.”

My God, this is more than terrible. https://t.co/f0fTgWXBwp

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 7, 2023

OUR civilization government policies, contrary to the agency’s social media rules, led to Lineker being removed from the show, but also tsunami of reactions in favor of the former England captain from all walks of life.

The episode drew a barrage of criticism from the BBC, while the Sunak government was also accused of imposing a “line” on the media, which, although funded by the people through the so-called “license fee” – an annual tax levied government from anyone who owns television or radio is theoretically independent and politically neutral.

“It is obviously disappointing that someone whose paycheck is funded by hard-working British taxpayers is using this kind of rhetoric, apparently ignoring their legitimate concerns about illegal immigration,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak himself intervened.

@IanWright0 the smile shows no signs of fading. We are on BBC1 at 10.20 @BBCMOTD pic.twitter.com/i6qd7MRhHR

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 4, 2023

Many famous former football players, commentators and TV presenters have chosen not to appear on the state broadcaster in solidarity with Lineker, which led to the creation serious problems in the sports program BBC over the weekend.

Actually Match Of The Day, something like institution in Britain, where it has been broadcast since 1964broadcast on Saturday for the first time no host or commentatoras part of an abbreviated 20-minute programme, featuring the highlights of six Premier League matches.

Many even have a question resignation BBC CEO Tim Davey, who, however, rejected the possibility.

“Everyone wants the situation to be resolved peacefully,” Davey said in an interview with the BBC.

How did the BBC react?

The BBC initially explained its decision violation its social media and employee impartiality guidelines.

“This is a violation of our internal rules,” the British body said. “We never said that Gary should stay in the no-opinion zone or that he couldn’t have an opinion on issues that matter to him, but we did say that he should stay away from partisan politics or political disputes. “, he added. BBC.

During the five days of the crisis, the BBC continued to broadcast the development of the controversial issue, presentation of the positions of all parties.

Under pressure from public outrage, the British channel closed after publicly asking I’m sorryand today his administration announced that Lineker returns to his place as a television commentator for Premier League matches. “Gary is an important part of the BBC’s credibility and will return to his post next weekend,” Davey said.

In his statements, he acknowledged that there were “gray areas” in the previous ruling on social media.

“I’m glad we found a solution to move forward, I can’t wait to get back on the air,” Gary Lineker said in a written statement thanking Davey on Twitter. “I would like to thank Tim Davey for his understanding during this difficult time. He has the almost impossible task of keeping everyone happy, especially in the area of ​​objectivity. I am happy that we will continue to have good matches together.”

I would also like to thank Tim Davy for his understanding during this difficult period. He has an almost impossible job of keeping everyone happy, especially in the area of ​​impartiality. I am glad that we will continue to fight together.

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023

What does the immigration law provide?

The British government last week introduced its anti-illegal immigration bill, which basically aims to prevent cross-Channel arrivals from seeking asylum in the UK, which is on the verge of international law, with the UN and many international organizations. express your concern for the proposed law.

On Friday, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron announced after a summit in Paris that Britain and France had signed a new agreement to curb illegal immigration from French shores. financing over the next three years from the British side.

What it says about the impartiality of the BBC

The BBC is committed to impartiality in all of its broadcasts and services. “This is fundamental to reputation, value and public trust,” he says.

According to the regulation, “its employees are allowed to participate in social media activities if they so wish. But there should be a “clear distinction” between BBC accounts and employees’ personal accounts for personal purposes.

“Everyone who works for the BBC needs to make sure that their social media activity is does not damage the reputation or undermines the impartiality and reputation of the BBC,” the relevant protocol reads.

However, Lineker is a freelance presenter, not a full-time employee. A post with his political comments was sent through his personal account to his millions of followers. without including any BBC link or the presentation of the show “Match of the Day” in his bio-profile.

Who is Gary Lineker?

Gary Lineker, Nickname “Mr. Nice” for impeccable behavior throughout his career, he is used to expressing his progressive political positions, especially on refugees – and not only.

Really former England captain hosted refugees in the past home for a few weeks in 2020 and 2021, and became even more blunt in his public comments about immigration.

“How can you have a complete lack of empathy for people in these most tragic circumstances?” he asked in a 2021 interview.

This 3-minute clip from 2021 is still widely shared today. This is useful if you want to understand how Gary Lineker feels about the refugee issue, his relationship with the BBC – and the idea that the BBC tells him he can and cannot tweet. pic.twitter.com/f5EWdx68tQ

— Ros Atkins (@BBCRosAtkins) March 12, 2023

Before becoming a professional football player, he often worked in fruit and vegetable kiosk his father in his native Leicester.

What is unusual in his case is that after a magnificent career in which he carried the national flag 80 times, scoring 48 goals, he moved to television not as a commentator, like many of his colleagues, but as a presenter.

In 2016, he presented the “Match of the Day”. only in underwearsince that’s what he promised to do if his beloved Leicester won the Premier League title, with a one in 5,000 chance.

📅 #OTD 2016 Gary Lineker presented Match of the Day in his underpants.

You’re a good athlete, Gary, but we know you enjoyed it! 🤣pic.twitter.com/bTAgSHT2Mc

— TEAMtalk (@TEAMtalk) August 13, 2019

As a player, he never received a red or yellow card. “I’ve never run into anyone, maybe that’s why,” he said with a smile in a BBC interview in 2021.

In the English league, he scored 113 goals in 170 appearances for Leicester, Everton and Tottenham between 1983 and 1992.

In between, there was a three-year Spanish “hiatus” when he scored 42 goals in 103 games for Barcelona, ​​including a hat-trick against Real Madrid in El Clasico, earning him the nickname El Matador (the bullfighter).

He is the UK’s best-known sports presenter and also the highest paid BBC presenter. with a fee of £1.35m annually.

He is the author of the famous saying: “Football is a simple sport, 22 players drive the ball for 90 minutes and in the end the Germans won“.

Source: BBC/Guardian/New York Times/Associated Press/SkyNews/The Athletic/Reuters/Politico/APE.