Gary Lineker: BBC boss says he won’t resign as MotD cut to 20 minutes – as it happened
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Broadcasting union Bectu said the BBC’s handling of the impartiality row with Gary Lineker is “hugely disappointing” and feels it will “likely prove disastrous for its reputation”.
Philippa Childs, the head of Bectu, said: “Bectu has always been a staunch defender of the BBC and we are hugely proud of the important work our members do every day.
“However, the corporation’s handling of this crisis has been hugely disappointing and will likely prove disastrous for its reputation.”
She added the union body had previously written to the BBC’s director general about its concerns surrounding the corporation’s chairman, Richard Sharp, who recently became embroiled in a cronyism row over his part in helping Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan facility.
“Our members and no doubt many others who work at the BBC will be rightly confused why those at the highest levels of the corporation are apparently immune to the stringent guidelines applied to everyone else,” Childs said.
“Our thoughts are with all BBC staff at what we know is an incredibly challenging time, and we are here to support our members however we can.
“We fully understand the depth of feeling and why some freelancers will elect to not work on BBC sport programmes today or choose to join protests.
“The strength of feeling from both staff and members of the public should indicate to the corporation that its handling of the issue has been a massive misstep.”
Updated at 12.30 EST
BBC Radio Wales’s Call Rob Phillips programme, a sports phone-in, will not be broadcast this evening as a result of the BBC’s limited sport programming.
Instead there will be a replay of a classical concert celebrating 100 years of the BBC in Wales.
A BBC spokesperson said “we are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans”.
Here is Keir Starmer stating the BBC is not acting impartially by “caving in” to Tory pressure and suspending Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker.
BBC ‘caving’ in to Tory pressure on Lineker suspension, says Keir Starmer – videoBBC Scotland to change this evening’s schedule
BBC Scotland has apologised for changes to its programming as a result of the Gary Lineker situation.
Sportscene will run this evening but with an amended format similar to the current plans for Match of the Day, while some of the Sportsound slot on Radio Scotland was replaced by pre-recorded material.
In a statement BBC Scotland said it “will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that”.
It added: “We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.
“We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon.”
Updated at 11.37 EST
The commentator Ian Dennis resumed live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live at 3pm for the match between Leeds and Brighton after the radio station aired pre-recorded content as the boycott continued.
Beginning his on-air shift, Dennis said he “found today very difficult”, adding: “It’s a very difficult time for BBC Sport.”
“Personally I found today very difficult, but I’m a BBC staff member, I’m a radio commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live, and today, like every Saturday afternoon, we provide a service to you, the audience.”
Summary
If you’re just joining us, here’s all the latest on the row about Gary Lineker’s suspension from Match of the Day.
The move sparked a mass walkout by pundits, presenters, and other BBC Sport staff in solidarity with Lineker.
Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, and Alex Scott withdrew from their roles on Match of the Day and Football Focus.
Football Focus and Final Score were both ultimately pulled from the schedule, while BBC 5 Live played podcast reruns instead of its usual coverage.
The Professional Footballers’ Association announced that players would not be asked to take part in interviews with the BBC after today’s games.
Former England striker Jermain Defoe has said he will not appear as planned on Sunday’s Match of the Day 2.
The BBC said it would be airing “limited sport programming” over the weekend and apologised to fans, saying it was “working hard to resolve the situation”.
Former BBC director general Greg Dyke said the corporation had undermined its own credibility by creating a perception that it had “bowed to government pressure”.
The Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, said the BBC was “not acting impartially by caving in to Tory MPs who are complaining about Gary Lineker”.
Lineker travelled to Leicester, his hometown, this afternoon to attend a match between Leicester City and Chelsea.
Fans at the stadium could be seen holding up signs supportive of the presenter, with one reading: “I’m with Gary. Migrants welcome.”
Updated at 11.09 EST
The Sports Journalists’ Association of Great Britain has backed today’s walkout by BBC Sport staff in solidarity with Lineker.
In a statement on Twitter, the body said it “fully supports its members and industry colleagues on freedom of speech”.
“The SJA would like to express its solidarity on this matter and will continue to monitor developments on the BBC and Gary Lineker story,” it said.
‘I cannot see why Lineker should step back,’ says Klopp
The Liverpool manager, Jürgen Klopp, has commented on the Lineker row following his side’s 1-0 this afternoon to Bournemouth.
“I am not native but I cannot see any reason why you would ask somebody to step back for saying that,” he said.
“But that is the world we are living in. Everybody is so concerned with doing things in the right manner and saying the right stuff to everybody. If you don’t do that then you create a shitstorm that we didn’t have when we were young.”
Asked whether he would have granted an interview to the BBC today had it been requested, Klopp said: “It’s not like the guy with the BBC mic today is the bad person. I am not sure I was asked.
“I heard about the rules of the BBC that you are not allowed to have those kind of opinions. It is a difficult world to live in to fulfil all the expectations, particularly in public. I cannot say more about it.”
Updated at 10.45 EST
Photos show Lineker and his son at the Leicester City ground this afternoon for the club’s Premier League match against Chelsea.
Lineker could be seen in the stands during the match posing for photos with fans. People also held up signs supportive of the presenter, with one reading: “I’m with Gary. Migrants welcome.”
Lineker seen with his son in the stands of the King Power Stadium. Photograph: Toby Melville/ReutersLineker poses for photos with fans at the match. Photograph: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC/Getty ImagesFans at the ground hold up signs reading: ‘I’m with Gary. Migrants welcome.’ Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/ReutersAnother sign reads: ‘Gary Gary Gary Lineker. Stand up to racism.’ Photograph: Bradley Collyer/PA
Updated at 10.31 EST
Who’s come out for and against Lineker?
A single tweet sent by Gary Lineker on Tuesday afternoon has sparked a nationwide debate about impartiality at the BBC and how its guidelines should be enforced.
Here’s our rundown of which figures from across the worlds of media, sport, and politics have come out to defend him or to call for him to be censured.
Updated at 10.14 EST