Take one Match of the Day presenter off the air, then the rest will follow out of solidarity.
It’s a lesson the BBC are learning after controversially axing Gary Lineker in the aftermath of the presenter criticising the Conservative Government’s policy on immigration. The 62-year-old had tweeted that he’d be in the studio and presenting the Saturday night highlights show as normal, but then the beeb released a statement saying he was “stepping back” while they tried to reach an agreement of social media use.
However, Lineker has reportedly denied he agreed to this and the broadcaster has effectively taken him off the air. The move has sparked outrage, with fans and viewers rushing to back Lineker and condemn the TV institution. In solidarity, Arsenal legend Ian Wright and Newcastle icon Alan Shearer, who were both due to appear in their regular punditry roles alongside Lineker this weekend, have pulled out.
