(https://www.dailymaverick.co.

za/)

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za)
SPORT

BROADCASTER FIASCO

BBC puts Lineker back on air in a bid to quell massive

public outcry

Gary Lineker arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League

match between Leicester City and Chelsea FC at The King Power
Stadium on 11 March 2023 in Leicester, England. (Photo: Marc
Atkins/Getty Images)

By Sarah Young and Kate Holton

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/sarah-
young-and-kate-holton/)
13 Mar 2023

Follow (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/sign-in)

Former England football captain Gary Lineker will

return to air on the BBC this week after being
reinstated. The broadcaster also launched a social
media guidance review.
 X Listen to this article

0:00 / 5:47 1X
(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/)

B
ritain’s BBC reinstated its highest-paid
presenter Gary Lineker on Monday after
its suspension of the former England
football captain for criticising state immigration
policy brought a public backlash and near mutiny
at the public broadcaster.

Embarrassingly for the BBC, it had to axe core

weekend sports coverage after presenters, pundits
and commentators refused to work, in solidarity
with Lineker.

Some staff, opposition politicians and

commentators accused the corporation, which has
a mandate to be neutral, of bowing to pressure
from the government, prompting Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak to urge a swift resolution of the
situation.

The affair also renewed questions over the

credibility of BBC chairman Richard Sharp. He
failed to declare facilitating a loan for former
Prime Minister Boris Johnson shortly before he
was appointed to the role by the government.

Read more in Daily Maverick: “Mutiny at the BBC:

Lineker row causes growing crisis at UK
broadcaster
(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-
03-12-mutiny-at-the-bbc-lineker-row-causes-
growing-crisis-at-uk-broadcaster/)”

The 62-year-old Lineker, a prolific striker who

won the Golden Boot with England at the 1986
World Cup, is expected to return on Saturday for
the flagship Premier League highlights show
“Match Of The Day” which he has hosted since
1999.

“I have been presenting sport on the BBC for

almost three decades and am immeasurably proud
to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the
world,” he tweeted, before returning to the topic of
immigration.

“However difficult the last few days have been, it

simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your
home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a
land far away.”

The publicly-funded BBC suspended him for

breaching impartiality rules by comparing the
rhetoric of interior minister Suella Braverman to
language used in 1930s Germany.

Braverman has described the arrival of thousands

of asylum seekers on small boats as an “invasion”
and said that without a legal change, 100 million
people could be entitled to enter.
Refugee debate
Lineker has previously hosted refugees in his (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/)
home and co-founded a podcast production
company whose shows include popular “The Rest
is Politics”. He had called the new government
hardline policy towards boats “immeasurably
cruel”.

 The furore came as the broadcaster seeks to

navigate increasingly polarised debate
(https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?
search=all%3AL8N35I5F6&linkedFromStory=true)
in Britain over everything from trans rights to
immigration and colonial history.

E
mbarrassingly for the BBC, it had to
axe core weekend sports coverage
after presenters, pundits and
commentators refused to work, in solidarity
with Lineker.

One senior BBC News employee said Lineker’s

tweets had arguably undermined its attempt to
stay impartial, but said most anger within the
corporation was directed at the chairman.

“Everyone suspects, though we can’t know for

sure, that if Lineker had tweeted support for the
government’s migrant policy then he wouldn’t
have been suspended,” the employee told Reuters,
asking to remain anonymous. 

BBC pundit Gary Lineker on 7 January 2023 in Sheffield, England.

(Photo: James Gill – Danehouse / Getty) Images)

Freelancer social media review

The BBC said it would now review how freelancers

such as Lineker, in areas outside news, can use
social media.

Sunak’s spokesperson welcomed the resolution.

The BBC board, led by chairman Sharp, welcomed

the agreement and described impartiality as a
“cornerstone” of the BBC.

Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition Labour

Party, said Sharp’s position was increasingly
untenable.

Tim Davie became BBC director general in 2020,

vowing to uphold the corporation’s impartiality,
one of the principles used to justify the  £159-a-
year ($192) licence fee imposed on every TV-
watching household.
(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/)
He said in a BBC interview on Monday that the
suspension had been appropriate and that the
presenter had agreed to stick to current editorial
guidelines until a new policy is formed.

“Everyone recognises this has been a difficult

period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most
importantly, our audiences,” Davie said in a
statement. “I apologise for this.”

______________________________
_______________________________

Visit Daily Maverick’s home page

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/?
utm_source=direct&utm_medium=in_article_link
more news, analysis and investigations

______________________________
__________________________

However, announcing the agreement with Lineker,

he acknowledged “potential confusion caused by
the grey areas” of those guidelines and welcomed
him back.

“I want to get matters resolved and our sport

content back on air,” said Davie.

“Impartiality is important to the BBC. It is also

important to the public. The BBC has a
commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a
commitment to freedom of expression. That is a
difficult balancing act to get right where people are
subject to different contracts and on-air positions,
and with different audience and social media
profiles. 

“The BBC’s social media guidance is designed to

help manage these sometimes difficult challenges
and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the
guidance is up to this task. It should be clear,
proportionate, and appropriate. 

David’s statement confirmed that Lineker will be

back on air this week. “I know how much the BBC
means to Gary, and I look forward to him
presenting our coverage this coming weekend.”

Lineker said Davie had “an almost impossible job

keeping everybody happy, particularly in the area
of impartiality”. Reuters/DM

(https://www.facebook.
(https://twitter.co
(mailto:?
(http
u=https%3A%2F%2Fww
url=https%3A%2F
body=https
text=
03- 03- 03- 03-
13- 13- 13- 13-
bbc- bbc- bbc- bbc-
 puts- puts- puts- puts-
lineker-
lineker-
lineker-
linek
(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/)
back- back- back- back-
on- on- on- on-
air- air- air- air-
in- in- in- in-
a- a- a- a-
bid- bid- bid- bid-
to- to- to- to-
quell- quell- quell- quell
massive-
massive-
massive-
mass
public-public-public-publi
outcry%2F%3Futm_sou
outcry%2F%3Futm
outcry%2F&
outcr

BBC (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/bbc/)

criticising (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/criticising/)

Gary Lineker (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/gary-lineker/)

Match of the Day (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/match-

of-the-day/)

Mutiny (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/mutiny/)

public backlash (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/public-

backlash/)

public furore (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/public-

furore/)

Richard Sharp (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/richard-

sharp/)

soccer (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/soccer/)

Suspension (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/suspension/)

TV (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article_tag/tv/)

Comments - share your knowledge

and experience
Please note you must be a Maverick Insider
(/insider/?
utm_source=DM_Website&utm_medium=Comments&utm_campaign=only_insiders_can-
comment) to comment. Sign up here
(/insider/?
utm_source=DM_Website&utm_medium=Comments&utm_campaign=only_insiders_can-
comment) or sign in (/sign-in/) if you are
already an Insider.

Everybody has an opinion but not everyone has the

knowledge and the experience to contribute meaningfully
to a discussion. That’s what we want from our members.
Help us learn with your expertise and insights on articles
that we publish. We encourage different, respectful
viewpoints to further our understanding of the world.
View our comments policy here. (/comments-policy/)

All Comments 1

jcdville@gmail.co.za stormers 13 March

2023 at 17:54
(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-
03-13-bbc-puts-lineker-back-on-air-in-a-bid-
 to-quell-massive-public-outcry/#comment-
7377974)
(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/)
Now if only South African can unite when the
big guns step on their toes, with
undemocratic moves

TOP READS THIS HOUR

1 In her final leadership push Phalatse takes a swipe at Steenhuisen, invoking comparisons with Zuma
MAVERICK NEWS

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-01-in-her-final-leadership-push-phalatse-takes-a-swipe-at-steenhuisen-invoking-
comparisons-with-zuma/?utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

2 Chaos at Mall of Africa as scores of black-clad teenagers run wild

MAVERICK NEWS

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-30-chaos-at-mall-of-africa-as-scores-of-black-clad-teenagers-run-wild/?
utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

3 The unfolding Thabo Bester story shows journalists can be better than cops at busting miscreants
DM168

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-31-the-unfolding-thabo-bester-story-shows-journalists-can-be-better-than-cops-at-
busting-miscreants/?utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

4 Consumer commission warns people against buying from Manicaa

SOUTH AFRICA

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-30-consumer-commission-warns-people-against-buying-from-manicaa/?
utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

5 Thabo Bester’s big construction scam, the case for a basic income grant and everything on the shroom boom
MAVERICK NEWS

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-01-thabo-besters-basic-income-grant-shroom-boom-read-it-all-in-the-weekend-wrap/?
utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

TOP READS IN SECTION

1 Chaos at Mall of Africa as scores of black-clad teenagers run wild

MAVERICK NEWS

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-30-chaos-at-mall-of-africa-as-scores-of-black-clad-teenagers-run-wild/?
utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

2 In her final leadership push Phalatse takes a swipe at Steenhuisen, invoking comparisons with Zuma
MAVERICK NEWS

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-01-in-her-final-leadership-push-phalatse-takes-a-swipe-at-steenhuisen-invoking-
comparisons-with-zuma/?utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

3 Democratic Alliance expected to play it safe and close ranks behind Steenhuisen before SA's critical 2024 polls
MAVERICK NEWS

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-04-01-democratic-alliance-expected-to-play-it-safe-and-close-ranks-behind-steenhuisen-
before-sas-critical-2024-polls/?utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

4 ‘The vultures are out’ — Prof Jonathan Jansen highlights corruption and looting at SA universities
MAVERICK NEWS

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-30-the-vultures-are-out-prof-jonathan-jansen-highlights-corruption-and-looting-at-sa-
universities/?utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

5 A new rural land grab as urban elites build homes on customary farming areas
MAVERICK NEWS
 (https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-30-new-rural-land-grab-as-urban-elites-build-homes-on-customary-areas/?
utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)
(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/)

SPONSORED CONTENT

1 Your Guide to Solar Financing

SPONSORED CONTENT

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-31-your-guide-to-solar-financing/?utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

2 CoreShares by 10X named Best Fund House, affirming case for index-based investing in SA
SPONSORED CONTENT

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-31-coreshares-by-10x-named-best-fund-house-affirming-case-for-index-based-
investing-in-sa/?utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

3 Seeking an Executive Director to Lead SECTION27’s Vision and Programs

SPONSORED CONTENT

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-31-seeking-an-executive-director-to-lead-section27s-vision-and-programs/?
utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

4 A digital-first mindset reimagines agility and resilience

SPONSORED CONTENT

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-30-a-digital-first-mindset-reimagines-agility-and-resilience/?
utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

5 JT International South Africa (JTI) supports a modest increase in the cigarette excise duty.
SPONSORED CONTENT

(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-03-29-jt-international-south-africa-jti-supports-a-modest-increase-in-the-cigarette-
excise-duty/?utm_source=homepageify&medium=link)

(https://www.facebook.com/shar
(https://twitter.com/inte
(mailto:?(https://w
u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailym
url=https%3A%2F%2Fww
body=https%3A%
text=http
03- 03- 03- 03-
13- 13- 13- 13-
bbc- bbc- bbc- bbc-
puts- puts- puts- puts-
lineker- lineker- lineker- lineker-
back- back- back- back-
on- on- on- on-
air- air- air- air-
in-a- in-a- in-a- in-a-
bid- bid- bid- bid-
to- to- to- to-
quell- quell- quell- quell-
massive-massive-massive-massive-
public- public- public- public-
outcry%2F%3Futm_source%3Ds
outcry%2F%3Futm_sour
outcry%2F&subje
outcry%2

Investigations

News & Analysis

Features

Newsletters

Community
DM168
(https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/)

Daily Maverick © All rights reserved