Gary Lineker was indignant at the British government’s plan to ban asylum applications for people who arrived illegally in the territory. The star BBC presenter denounced on Twitter “a policy of immeasurable cruelty directed against the most vulnerable people in language not unlike that used by Germany in the 1930s”.
British Home Secretary Suella Braverman responded to him on the Political Thinking podcast. She considers this comparison “lazy and pointless”. She also points out that the former England international “diminishes the unspeakable tragedy” of the Holocaust. The controversy did not stop there and Gary Lineker’s employer, the BBC, also quickly took a stand.
The British chain considers “Lineker’s recent activity on social networks as a violation of our guidelines”. She also advised him to “beware of taking sides on issues of partisan politics or political controversies.” Star presenter of Match of the Day since 1999, the Englishman will have to withdraw temporarily from the show.
Social media support
The BBC mentions “extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days”. She also adds that the presenter “would step back from presenting Match of the Day until we have a clear and agreed position on his use of social media.”
Gary Lineker has received support on social media, including that of his colleague Ian Wright. The former Arsenal striker said on Twitter not to participate in the next Match of the Day, out of “solidarity” for the presenter. “Everyone knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity. »