Gary Lineker 'stepping back' from BBC presenter role

Gary Lineker is stepping back from his duties as Match of the Day presenter, the BBC has said in a statement.

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[mariewalmsley]

Coming from people who covered up one of the worst sociopaths for decades .

[supes]

This is pathetic. The BBC is anything but impartial

[brianferguson]

Sir Alan Sugar said that he hoped that Boris Johnson would win the last election. He also said Corbyn would be s disastrous PM. He worked for the BBC then, but not a word was said.

[carlosbooovy]

I'm 50 now and can remember my parents muttering under their breath about Saville when i watched "jim'll finger it" on telly.. Everyone knew! Apart from the BBC, what bollocks!

[brianferguson]

Maybe if Gary Lineker had organised a 800, 000 pound loan for Johnson he could not only have kept his job, but been offered an even better one.

[monkeymagic]

Translated...He's politely sacked...

[jackc]

I am more concerned this is what our country is worried about, I don’t care what he says and I don’t care that the BBC cares, real people are suffering atm

[jockcusick]

It was OK for him to ridicule quatar and the world cup on the BBC but not to say anything about this???

[richardhasler]

The problem is that we are discussing the actions of Gary Lineker but should be discussing the actions of the government immigration policy.

[theroadahead]

Great News!! No Gary on Match of the Day, I can now watch it on a Saturday night 🎉

[BubbleBlacKa]

So much for freedom of speech! And the people who are calling for him to resign are the same people who cry about cancel culture!!!

[michaelkemp]

Getting rid of Lineker and Wright on MOTD - can't get better!!

[richardjackson]

Not really fussed what he said but I’ve never understood how the bbc could waste so much money on a presenter for football highlights. Don’t know about anyone else but I watch the highlights and fast forward through the “expert analysis”. Anyone could host the show for a fraction of the cost

[johneastwood]

I might actually watch Match of the day now. Best thing the BBC have done in years, might even buy a license.

[JonWS]

Who would have thought that a corporation who's chair was a loan guarantor for Boris Johnson would take issue with a comment challenging current right wing policy

[jackowens]

All the 'free-speech' right wingers are being ideologically consistent I see...

[paddyandhisguitar]

Didn't the head of the BBC line up an 800k loan for that national joke? But somehow still in a job and not in prison

[Jericho]

So, footballers should “stay out of politics”, but actual politicians are free to pursue full celebrity status by writing books, appearing on panel shows, reality shows, and basically polluting our airwaves every day of the week. Is that correct?

[Woodzta]

My understanding is they sat down with him and asked him to come to an agreement with social media guidelines and he refused.

[jamesudoaffia]

Good to see other football pundits standing side by side with Gary Lineker. BBC, it looks like the government have pulled some strings.