EXPRESS
Gary Lineker reportedly “wept” after learning that Match of the Day pundits were prepared to boycott Saturday’s show over the presenter’s row with the BBC. Lineker was stood down from anchoring the Premier League highlights show after refusing to back down from a tweet strongly condemning the government’s language concerning refugees.
Lineker likened language used by government ministers to Nazi Germany. The 62-year-old initially hoped to host Match of the Day as normal but was stood down on Friday evening.
The BBC announced that Lineker had been removed from Saturday’s show until a position on his social media use had been agreed. It is understood that the former England striker is unwilling to back down on his view.
Lineker’s effective axing from Saturday’s show has prompted an exodus of pundits and commentators. Ian Wright was first to reveal that he would boycott, with fellow regular Alan Shearer adding that he would take the same stance.
Gary Lineker has been axed by the BBC for tweetig critically about the government (Image: Getty)
According to the Sun, Lineker “wept” and was “overwhelmed” by the reaction. A source told the newspaper that he was unaware that his studio guests were prepared to back him with such a strong show of support.
They are quoted as saying: “This has been a tumultuous 24 hours. Gary is in shock and had no idea this was coming. He wanted to go on air, make no bones about it, this was not his decision. Privately, everyone at the Beeb is in meltdown too. They genuinely don’t know how they will get a show out because no one wants to touch it.
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