Leeds residents have spoken out on whether they support the BBC suspending Gary Lineker from Match of the Day - and the move has proved divisive.
In the latest development, the BBC has issued an apology for last-minute changes to the weekend sporting schedule due to several pundits pulling out to show solidarity to Lineker. Lineker has been suspended from Match of the Day until 'use of his social media can be agreed' after he tweeted comparing the language used by the government in its new bill to stop small boats to the of 1930s Germany - which the BBC says violates its impartiality policy.
Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Alex Scott and more have refused to appear on sporting programmes for the BBC. In some places re-runs have been played where sports programming should be, and Football Focus was replaced by Bargain Hunt.
Read more: BBC issues 52-word statement as Gary Lineker saga ruins weekend sport schedule
Like his fellow pundits, many Leeds residents were completely behind Lineker. Steve Johnston and Sally Kincaid regularly take to the streets of Leeds to campaign against racism, and were overjoyed to see Lineker taking a stand against the government's immigration policies.
Steve told LeedsLive: "What Gary Lineker has done is highlight how evil the language used by the government is in their latest attack on migrants. It does smack of the 1930s when they’re attacking refugees coming over in small boats.
"We’re here to show a bit of solidarity. It is absolutely brilliant the other presenters are showing solidarity as it looks like the BBC will probably have no presenters.
"We feel it's unfair - they’ve got Alan Sugar and other Tory-supporting people in their ranks who have said things before they haven't been punished for. The guy in charge of the BBC arranged a loan for the former prime minister. It’s shocking and corrupt."
Richard Sharp has been chairman of the BBC since 2021. In the past, he has donated more than £400,000 to the Conservatives, and the Sunday Times reported earlier this year that he had helped Boris Johnson get an £800,000 loan just before he became chairman.
Apprentice presenter Alan Sugar has in the past supported the Labour Party, before urging people not to vote for Sadiq Khan in the London mayoral election, endorsing Theresa May and Boris Johnson and saying he would leave the UK if Jeremy Corbyn became prime minister. BBC Director-General Tim Davie stood as a Conservative council candidate twice in the 1990s.
Sally also supported Lineker's comments on the Illegal Migration Bill, and said: "We need a system that works so people can come across safely. They're not just coming across to be in hotels they want to be safe and come here and contribute to society."
Steve, Sally and their fellow campaigners had a sign that read 'support Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Ian Wright'. They were encouraging passers-by on Briggate to sign their petition against the bill.
Similarly, big Leeds United fan Stephen said: "I think it's wrong and he should be reinstated. He's had a long career and I'm a big fan."
Corey told LeedsLive: "The guy at the top of the BBC has donated to the Conservatives so it feels like they're letting themselves be run by them. I don't think they should kick Gary Lineker out."
Davey, who was enjoying his lunch near Millennium Square, said he didn't know a lot about the whole situation but added: "I'm totally behind him. I dislike this government and I think that new bill is fascist.
"If Gary Lineker piping up helps to generate realisation of that then I'm all for it. I say give him his own chat show - I'm glad he said what he said and others should too."
The BBC editorial guidelines say 'due impartiality' must be applied to all subject matter. It adds "there are particular requirements for ‘controversial subjects’ whenever they occur in any output, including drama, entertainment and sport."
Controversial subjects are defined in the guidelines as matters of " public policy or political or industrial controversy that are of national or international importance". Lineker is a freelancer at the BBC, though guidelines do also state non-journalists are expected to "avoid taking sides on party political issues or political controversies".
And some Leeds residents were of the opinion that rules are rules. One man who spoke to LeedsLive said: "I don't really care - I just want to watch football. But the BBC stick to impartiality and in that case they shouldn't have him back on."
His wife added: "When the rules are there you should know the rules. If he doesn't like it he should go to ITV or something. The BBC are known for being impartial - I don't think it's about the issue, it's about him sticking to the rules he signed up to for the job."
Similarly, John Lockwood and his wife Alison said: "I think Gary Lineker should be kicked out on his backside together with Alan Shearer. They seem to think they are the bees knees of the BBC and can say whatever they want without anything against them. It will be a pleasure watching Match of the Day without all their drivel.”
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