Support has come flooding in for all of Alan Shearer, Ian Wright and Gary Lineker, on the back of the bombshell news surrounding the BBC’s coverage of famed highlights programme Match of the Day.
For those who may have missed it, a short time ago, confirmation was forthcoming that long-time MOTD host Lineker had been relieved of his duties for the time being.
In response to his recent use of Twitter to express political viewpoints, the BBC unveiled a short statement, explaining that it had “decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.”
It was added: “When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.
“We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.”
Gary Lineker to step back from presenting Match of the Day until agreement reached on social media use – BBC statement https://t.co/WMsgqRzWrw
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) March 10, 2023
This stance on the part of the BBC has since gone down like a lead balloon across the football space, with Lineker having already received support by way of a whole host of high-profile sources.
The ex-Arsenal striker has confirmed that he will not take his place in the BBC studio this weekend, in ‘solidarity’ with his compatriot:
Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) March 10, 2023
And the backing for Lineker has since only continued to come pouring in, with Alan Shearer having followed Wright’s lead a short time ago:
I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) March 10, 2023
Check out some of the social media highlights in response to this evening’s chaos at the BBC below:
@alanshearer well played. #MOTD
— Peter Reid 💙 (@reid6peter) March 10, 2023
There’s no way MOTD can take place tomorrow night – who is going to take that toxic hot-seat. ?
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) March 10, 2023
Match Of The Day is an amazing programme.@GaryLineker is a top presenter & the production / pundits are top drawer.@IanWright0 & @alanshearer have said they won’t be involved. It’ll be very interesting to see how the editors, directors and producers all react to the decision.
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) March 10, 2023
Thanks to @garylineker & @IanWright0, somebody is currently trying to explain to Tory donor, Boris Johnson loan facilitator & Boris Johnson-nominated chairman of the BBC, Richard Sharp, what ‘integrity’, ‘honesty’ & ‘solidarity’ are.
— James O’Brien (@mrjamesob) March 10, 2023
It’s now a sackable offence in Britain to express an opinion. What a pathetic state of affairs. #lineker
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 10, 2023
No Lineker. No Wrighty. Let’s all switch off tomorrow. Find other ways of catching up on our teams. Zero MOTD viewers sends out a decent message against this disturbing surpression.
— Amy Lawrence (@amylawrence71) March 10, 2023
Gary Lineker 2 BBC 0
(Wright, Shearer)— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) March 10, 2023
Well played Wrighty
— Jeff Stelling (@JeffStelling) March 10, 2023
Good on you mate
— Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) March 10, 2023
Heck yes Wrighty!🙌👏👌
— Ben Foster (@BenFoster) March 10, 2023
Well done, Alan!
— Dan Silver (@dansilver_) March 10, 2023
👏👏👏
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) March 10, 2023
Judging by messages I’m getting @BBCMOTD in meltdown. Any presenter who agrees to replace @GaryLineker tomorrow night will be tainted as effectively a political appointment. Ditto any pundit.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) March 10, 2023
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