Football fans were eagerly awaiting the return of Gary Lineker to Match of the Day this weekend after his feud with the BBC came to an end.
The former Barcelona and Everton striker was initially forced to step back from programming after comments he made regarding the government’s asylum policy. After a few days away, an agreement was reached between Lineker and the BBC for him to return to screens.
A statement from Lineker read: “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.”
Despite confirming his return, Lineker was not booked in to resume his regular presenting role on popular highlights show Match of the Day. Colleague Mark Chapman was chosen to fill the hot seat in his absence - and there is a simple explanation for the BBC’s decision.
Lineker was instead called on to present the BBC’s live coverage of Manchester City’s FA Cup quarter-final against Burnley at the Etihad Stadium. Coverage of the game was due to start at 5:25pm on Saturday evening, with the match itself kicking off 20 minutes later.
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It would have been tough for Lineker to travel from the Etihad to the Match of the Day studio in order to front the channel’s highlights package. Interestingly enough, Lineker’s replacement, Chapman, was at the heart of an awkward joke from former England goalkeeper Rob Green on Radio 5 Live earlier on Saturday.
The panel were discussing Chris Wilder’s appointment as Watford manager, which came shortly after he appeared on the programme.
Green then saw his opportunity to fire a quip towards his colleague by saying: "I don't know what is more precarious, working for Watford, or working for the BBC?!"
Chapman laughed briefly before then attempting to change topic. "Moving swiftly on," he began before steering the conversation elsewhere.
The presenter was among those to choose not to work last weekend in solidarity after Lineker was pulled from screens - a decision that left the BBC scrambling. A number of programmes including Final Score and Football Focus were cancelled, whilst Match of the Day itself took the form of a 20-minute highlights package without commentary.
The full complement of programming returned on Saturday, as well as the aforementioned FA Cup coverage.
