Gary Lineker stepping back from Match of the Day ‘was not his decision’

It has been revealed that stepping back from Match of the Day was not Gary Lineker’s decision.

This week, the former England striker made headlines after he compared the government’s new asylum policy to Nazi Germany.

As a result, it was confirmed on Friday afternoon that Lineker will step back from the role as Match of the Day presenter.

The BBC 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.”

According to Channel 5 News presenter Dan Walker, Lineker told him that it was not his choice to step back.

Walker said: “I’m actually texting the man himself at the moment.

“I’ve asked Gary Lineker the question about whether he is stepping back or the BBC have told him to step back. He has said ‘no, they told me I have to step back.’

“Gary Lineker wants to continue to present Match of the Day and is not apologising for what he said. But he said it was BBC’s decision to force him not to present the programme at the moment.”

Gary Lineker has told @mrdanwalker it's not his decision to step back from presenting Match of the Day following his criticism of the government's asylum policy on social media, saying "they [the BBC] have told me I have to step back".#5News pic.twitter.com/9iGGH58aSn

— Channel 5 News (@5_News) March 10, 2023

 Fellow former footballer and popular pundit Ian Wright has also jumped to Lineker’s defence by stating that he will not be partaking in this weekend’s show.

Wright tweeted: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.”

It remains to be seen whether Lineker will return to present the popular highlights show this season.

At the moment, former Tottenham Hotspur and current The One Show presenter Jermaine Jenas is the favourite to replace Lineker for the foreseeable future.

What do you make of the BBC’s decision? Let us know in the comments.