27 Favorite Things People Say About Gary Lineker After He Was Removed From Match Of The Day

They thought it was all over, but turns out it was just beginning.

The Gary Lineker saga took a dramatic extension on Friday after the BBC removed him from the Match of the Day for his perfectly justified criticism of the government’s immigration policy.

Here’s what the BBC had to say about it.

“The BBC have had extensive discussions with Gary and his team over the last few days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity a violation of our policies.

“The BBC has decided that he will step down from presenting the Match of the Day until we have an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.”

Things escalated further when Lineker’s colleagues Ian Wright and Alan Shearer both said they would not be appearing as a gesture of solidarity with the Match of the Day presenter.

Here’s what Wright had to say.

Everyone knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.

— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) March 10, 2023

And clippers.

I have informed the BBC that I will not be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.

– Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) March 10, 2023

And then commentators from BBC Sport said they would not be attending either. Here’s what one of them, Steve Wilson, had to say.

As commentators from MOTD, we have decided to step down from tomorrow night’s broadcast. We are reassured that football fans who wish to see their teams can continue to do so as management can use World Feed commentary if they wish.

— Steve Wilson (@Wilsonfooty) March 10, 2023

It has been quite a day for the BBC after the Guardian reported that it was not airing an episode of David Attenborough’s new flagship series for fear of offending right-wingers.

Which brings us back to Lineker, whose future at the BBC is in limbo. These 23 tweets probably best sum up where we are right now.

1.

This is pathetic for so many reasons.

— Richard Osman (@richardosman) March 10, 2023

2.

these BBC rules in full:
– Attenborough cannot air a program about the loss of nature in Britain.
– Lineker can’t tweet to criticize the government.
– Alan Sugar *can* tweet and criticize strikes.
– The BBC leader *may* be a Tory donor who has failed to disclose facilitating a loan for Boris Johnson.

— Henry Mance (@henrymance) March 10, 2023

3.

Gary Lineker draws a comparison to 1930s Germany, where dissent was silenced.

And his dissent is silenced.

— Marcus Chown (@marcuschown) March 10, 2023

4.

enough respect #ImWithGary @GaryLineker pic.twitter.com/fvQCLGtbdx

— Fatboy Slim (@FatboySlim) March 10, 2023

5.

Great job at the beeb. Attenborough and Lineker screw up in one day. Absolute top class. Next, kill Santa Claus.

— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) March 10, 2023

6.

I wonder if the BBC has created a situation where anyone willing to present MOTD tomorrow becomes a de facto instantaneous de facto supporter of legislation currently being passed by openly racist, far right leaders in the rest of Europe is celebrated to the core…

— James O’Brien (@mrjamesob) March 10, 2023

7.

I follow the BBC Match of the Day drama although I’ve never seen it pic.twitter.com/8eA2tdFABq

— Louis Staples (@LouisStaples) March 10, 2023

8th.

If the BBC MOTD has to pull, I’ll be happy to give an 80 minute presentation on why the Illegal Immigration Bill is the worst piece of legislation to go to Parliament in my life.

— Sam Freedman (@Samfr) March 10, 2023

9.

Oh Jesus Christ, no… #motd pic.twitter.com/YA8Bno2j14

— christhebarker (@christhebarker) March 10, 2023

12.

I just got home and saw that one of my work stations is on fire. Illuminated and fanned by the very few who work there. But fueled by those who hate it when the truth is told, and use hate to weaponize truth-telling. What a sad mess we are in. . . a very sad day for the UK

— Chris Packham (@ChrisGPackham) March 10, 2023

11.

The BBC needs to placate the government. Appeasement is the only way to stop people from comparing the situation to 1930s Germany.

— Joel Morris (@gralefrit) March 10, 2023

10

REVEALED: The latest BBC stars are dating Gary Lineker in solidarity pic.twitter.com/Cj5YKKrxQ2

— Neil Miles (@neilsmiles) March 10, 2023

13.

what the hell happened Do I have to get on a plane and get there? WTF?!

— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) March 10, 2023

14

Another expert left himself out of the game of the day, but WHO IS CHRIS KAMARA pic.twitter.com/ofkiv5IWAC

— Michael Savage (@michaelsavage) March 10, 2023