Lineker To Step Back From Presenting Match Of The Day

[choux]

...until an agreement is reached on his social media use, the BBC has said.

Bet he is feeling less cocky now. No doubt he still gets paid. Time will tell if his principles or ego win the day.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64920557

[Gromit]

NJ I repeat….
// MOTD is a highlights programme late at night on Saturday, when most football fans are still out on the lash. It is hardly a show of much political influence. //

The reality is you just cannot stand ANYONE disagreeing with you. Even if it is a ex-football player airing late at night on an highlights programme.
Just shows how fragile the Tories are in 2023.

[royfromaus]

Support Lineker...let's rid ourselves of the BBC.

[THECORBYLOON]

ROY, why not answer my questions or provide evidence to support your claim?

[New Judge]

//The reality is you just cannot stand ANYONE disagreeing with you.//

It would be a sad old world if we all agreed on everything. As far as this particular issue goes, for anyone to draw comparisons with the current UK government and that of Nazi Germany in the 1930s is infantile and insulting. It shows a distinct lack of research and reasoning. That's why I don't like the dross that Mr Lineker came out with.

[jno]

the BBC has a duty to be politically impartial...

of course, of course. Funny how the BBC chairman is a Tory donor (who once acted as a loan arranger for Boris Johnson) and Sunak's ex-boss. Thank heavens it's only sports commentators who have to be impartial, otherwise people would be asking how the boss got his job.

[Ellipsis]

You said that "the BBC has a duty to be politically impartial". If so, should Richard Sharp not be the BBC Chairman?

[jno]

Ellipsis, if you're asking me, I was quoting an earlier post (and lazily forgetting to put quote marks around it)

[Ellipsis]

No, I was asking NJ.

[jno]

oh, OK - I was commenting on the same. There's impartial and there's impartial. But I would have thought impartiality more important in a chairman than a football presenter.

[royfromaus]

Boy scuffs a copy of a Koran

POLICE
"We have recorded a hate incident."

Boy sends death threats to Boy who scuffs a Koran

POLICE
"A suspect was identified, who was also a child, and they were given words of advice by an officer"


Madness!

[THECORBYLOON]

No mention of a Sharia court then?

[royfromaus]

You're acting dumb again.

[Hymie]

Re my post at 22:47 – how come no one on here is complaining about Boris Johnson comparing the EU to Hitler; or likening the EU to the Nazis?

[Ellipsis]

It's ok because Boris is a politician, unlike Gary Lineker. And also because nobody takes Boris seriously, also unlike Gary Lineker it seems ...

[THECORBYLOON]

ROY, why am I dumb when you're the one making the ridiculous claim?

[jno]

the beeb's also been giving Mad Nad a free pass to say what she likes, it seems

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/mar/10/bbc-apologises-failure-scrutinise-nadine-dorries-claims-sue-gray

[andy-hughes]

I can only repeat my previous point - the issue hinges on the actual interpretation of 'guidelines'.

If they are indeed 'guidelines', then Mr Lineker is fully entitled to decide he does not wish to be 'guided'.

If they are 'instructions', then the BBC should stop dithering and say so.

The apparent absence of clarity in terms of what BBC employees are, and are not allowed to do, is the fault of the BBC, and they look increasingly foolish and unsure of their own rules.

This could, and should have been dealt with at the time, dithering is making it worse.

Mr Lineker has been out of order with his original remarks, but the fault for this nonsense continuing lies entirely at the door of his employers.

[Arrods]

I stopped watching MOTD when it became more about the pundits. I might start watching it again.

[rowanwitch]

Not sure if it isn't convenient. They can introduce some new younger team members ( on lower salaries) and while Wright's enthusiasm might be missed Shearer wasn't exactly mr charisma although I admire them for supporting their colleague.

[Hymie]

I’m looking forward to NJ posting an essay on why Gary Lineker is bang out of order comparing the government’s rhetoric to Nazi Germany, and Boris Johnson comparing the EU to Hitler, and likening the EU to the Nazis, being perfectly acceptable statements from our Prime Minister.