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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Manchester United great Gary Neville sends message to Ian Wright over Gary Lineker stance

Manchester United hero Gary Neville has messaged Ian Wright over his decision to step down from punditry duties for Match of the Day in a show of solidarity with BBC Sport presenter Gary Lineker.

Lineker will not feature on the flagship show until further notice after the former England international came under fire for comparing the language used by the government in their asylum plans earlier this week to "that used by Germany in the 30s" in a tweet posted on Tuesday afternoon.

Lineker went on to say that the policy set out by Home Secretary Suella Braverman was "beyond awful" and it continues to see the 62-year-old under the media microscope. Studio pundit Wright tweeted to say he would not appear on Saturday night's show in a sign of solidarity with his colleague.

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Alan Shearer followed up on that decision as Lineker, inadvertently, broke silence on the matter during a text exchange with Dan Walker in which he claimed the BBC had "forced" him to step down amid suggestions that it was a mutual agreement. It continues to be a hot topic on social media and beyond.

Neville weighed-in, too, by messaging Wright after his decision to stand down. He went on question who will present the programme on Saturday night.

Addressing his 5.4million followers on Twitter, Neville said: "I had no doubt Ian Wright would do that. Who the hell is going to go on now!"

In a separate tweet relaying what Wright said, Neville added: "You're more than good."

Due to his links with other broadcasters, Neville is not part of the regular Match of the Day panel, although he has appeared alongside Lineker, Wright and Shearer for BBC and ITV Sport at major international tournaments, such as the recent World Cup showcase in Qatar.

BBC have not confirmed who will replace the trio on Saturday's show..

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