Gary Lineker to step back from presenting Match of the Day

Gary Lineker is to step back from presenting Match of the Day until an agreement is reached on his use of social media.

The government had put the BBC under pressure after Lineker posted a series of tweets criticising Rishi Sunak’s asylum policy and likened the language used by ministers to “that used by Germany in the 30s”.

A BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.

“The BBC has 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.

“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.”

On Thursday Lineker suggested he was not facing any sanction or suspension from the BBC, tweeting: “Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting [Match of the Day] on Saturday. Thanks again for all your incredible support. It’s been overwhelming.”