The BBC has confirmed reports that Gary Lineker is set to return following intense backlash over its handling of his tweet about the government's immigration policy.
In a statement on Monday morning, BBC Director General Tim Davie issued an apology to viewers for the row over the weekend and admitted that there was "potential confusion" over the "grey areas of the BBC's social media guidance".
He went on to announce that an independent review would be conducted into the BBC's social media guidance. It was also confirmed that Gary would be returning to host Match Of The Day this weekend after he was told to stand down from presenting on Saturday.
It comes after 210,000 Mirror readers signed our petition to have him reinstated on the BBC show.
His full statement read: "Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this. The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.
“Impartiality is important to the BBC. It is also important to the public. The BBC has a commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression. That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles. The BBC’s social media guidance is designed to help manage these sometimes difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the guidance is up to this task. It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate.
“Accordingly, we are announcing a review led by an independent expert – reporting to the BBC – on its existing social media guidance, with a particular focus on how it applies to freelancers outside news and current affairs. The BBC and myself are aware that Gary is in favour of such a review.
“Shortly, the BBC will announce who will conduct that review. Whilst this work is undertaken, the BBC’s current social media guidance remains in place.
“Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend.”
While Gary issued a short statement in which he said: "I am glad that we have found a way forward. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air."
But on Twitter he gave an emotional response to all of the support he had received over the last few days, "particularly from [his] colleagues at BBC Sport".
He wrote: "After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming.
"I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday."
Gary went on to refer to his original tweet, standing by what he wrote about the government's new Illegal Migration Bill.
He described the controversial bill - unveiled by home secretary Suella Braverman on Tuesday to a wave of backlash - as "beyond awful" and compared the language used as "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
"A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you," he continued.
"We remain a country of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous people. Thank you."
He also reached out to Davie and thanked him for his understanding.
"Also, I’d like to thank Tim Davie for his understanding during this difficult period. He has an almost impossible job keeping everybody happy, particularly in the area of impartiality. I am delighted that we’ll continue to fight the good fight, together," he continued.
It was announced by the BBC on Friday that Gary would be taking a break from hosting Match of the Day until they had reached "an agreed and clear position" on his use of social media.
He sparked debate a few days ago after comparing the language used to launch an asylum policy by the UK Government with Germany in the 1930s in a tweet.
In the now-viral tweet, Lineker wrote: "There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
"This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s."
Following the news that Gary wouldn't front Match of the Day on Saturday, various fellow pundits boycotted their BBC shows this weekend in solidarity with the presenter.
There was limited sport programming this weekend, with the BBC apologising to viewers over its schedule.
Match of the Day did air on Saturday but without presenters or pundits. The episode - cut down to only 20 minutes - featured Premier League highlights without any commentary.
Football Focus, Final Score and Radio 5 Live coverage was cancelled.
Ian Wright and Alan Shearer returned to their punditry duties on Sunday after pulling out of their appearances on Match of the Day.
The duo went back into action after their boycott, appearing on Premier League TV for Arsenal's clash with Fulham. They provided punditry for the Gunners' win at Craven Cottage, as well as two other games.
Shearer shared the news that the duo were back in the pundit seat on Saturday with an image of the duo in the studio. He captioned the image: "Hellllooooo @IanWright0!! @premierleague tv today with @julesbreach and Wrighty!!!"
On Saturday evening, Tim Davie gave an interview to BBC News in which he apologised to viewers and pledged to get a resolution to the row.
"I’m sorry audiences have been affected and they haven’t got the programming," Davie told the BBC. "As a keen sports fan I know to miss programming is a real blow and I’m sorry about that. We are working very hard to resolve this situation and make sure we get output on air.
"Success for me is getting Gary back on air and together we are giving to the audiences that world-class sports coverage."
