Gary Lineker – latest: BBC talks with presenter ‘moving in right direction’ as disruption continues
According to BBC News, there are hopes a resolution will be reached soon but not all issues are ‘fully resolved’
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Talks between BBC and Gary Lineker are believed to be “moving in the right direction” after a second day of disruption to the corporation’s sports programming.
There is “growing confidence” that the former England player will return to host the popular BBC show, according to reports,
According to BBC News, there are hopes a resolution will be reached soon but not all issues are “fully resolved.”
The Women’s Super League Chelsea v Manchester United game on BBC Two kicked off with no pre-match presentation and no pundits tonight.
BBC Radio 5 Live’s football phone-in programme 606 will also not air again tonight, according to Sky News.
Mr Lineker, who has hosted Match of the Day for almost a quarter of a century, has been embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new government asylum policy with 1930s Germany.
BBC boss should use Match of the Day’s 20-minute silence to consider if row could have been handled any worse
Gary Lineker: How much is the Match of the Day presenter paid?
How the Gary Lineker and Match of the Day chaos unfolded - and the repercussions for the BBC
Gary Lineker: History of Match of the Day host’s political tweets
Position of BBC chairman ‘totally untenable’, says Ed Balls
The position of the BBC chairman is “totally untenable”, Ed Balls has said.
The former shadow chancellor said the position of the BBC chairman Richard Sharp has “become totally untenable”, during an interview on Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show.
Mr Balls said niether BBC director general Tim Davie or chancellor Jeremy Hunt were “willing to defend the position of Richard Sharp.”
“It’s been a catastrophic couple of days for the BBC”, Mr Balls said.
George Osbourne condemns ‘language used on immigration by some Conservatives'
Former Tory chancellor George Osborne has backed Gary Lineker, criticising the rhetoric around asylum policy by some in his party.
“Personally I think some of the language used on immigration by some Conservatives - not all - is not acceptable,” he told Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show.
“I have a lot of sympathy for Tim Davie, the director-general, who’s trying to maintain impartiality for the BBC in a partisan age. But it’s all ended up in a bit of a mess.”
Women’s Super League match kicks off without pre-match presentation
The Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Manchester United kicked off on BBC Two earlier with no pre-match presentation as the broadcaster’s sporting programming for TV and radio continues to be disrupted over the Gary Lineker impartiality row.
The match is being aired live alongside world feed commentary by football commentator Nigel Adderley.
A continuity announcer introduced the match, saying: “Live women’s Super League football now on BBC Two Chelsea vs. Manchester United.”
The BBC has gone nuts, says Nick Ferrari in show of support for Gary Lineker
Broadcasting veteran Nick Ferrari has pledged his support to Gary Lineker, as the former England striker’s row with the BBC continues.
Tweeting this afternoon, the LBC host said: “Having been a Leicester City fan for 50 plus years, I’ve supported Gary Lineker since 1978. And while I question his interpretation of history, I support him now. The BBC has gone nuts.”
Royal National Institute of Blind People attacks BBC over ‘unacceptable’ removal of MOTD commentary
The Royal National Institute of Blind People has branded the BBC’s decision not to include commentary on Match Of The Day as “unacceptable” and said the corporation “needs to do better”.
The football highlights show aired for only 20 minutes on Saturday without accompanying commentary or analysis from pundits following a boycott in “solidarity” with former England player Gary Lineker.
In a tweet, the charity added: “The BBC should be upholding basic accessibility standards so that everyone can enjoy their output.”
Urgent talks between BBC and Match of the Day host ‘inching forward’
Urgent talks between the BBC and Gary Lineker are underway and are inching forward, The Independent understands.
Senior sources at the BBC said the talks aim at getting the Match of the Day host back to work this week. If an agreement is reached, the breakthrough would be announced immediately.
BBC director-general Tim Davie has made his view clear that he wants to see the Match of the Day host back on air, saying last night: “Success for me is getting Gary back on air and together we are giving to the audiences that world-class sports coverage which, as I say, I’m sorry we haven’t been able to deliver today”.
Watch: Gary Lineker admitted tweet at centre of BBC row was 'step too far, claims fellow broadcaster
‘We are here to provide our football service to you, our audience’
Before match commentary from its two scheduled Premier League games this afternoon started on Radio 5 Live, commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball said: “I want to reiterate what we said ahead of our football coverage yesterday.
“I know you’ll all appreciate this is a difficult time for BBC Sport and for all those who work in the department, and we hope it all gets resolved as soon as possible.
“It’s been a very difficult decision to make personally, I can assure you it’s not been taken lightly, but I’m a BBC staff member, I’m a radio commentator for this station and, just like yesterday, we are here to provide our football service to you, our audience.”
BBC star ‘should not apologise for being a good person’, says son
Gary Lineker’s eldest son has tweeted in defence of his father, saying he should not feel pressured to apologise “for being a good person.”
George Lineker tweeted: “Proud of the old man after a busy few days.
“Shouldn’t need to apologise for being a good person and standing by his word.
“The reaction of the public has been overwhelming. Thanks for the support.”
Watch: Glimpse of GB News broadcast of 'alternative' Match Of The Day
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