‘It’s Crazy…Cancel Culture’ – The decision to remove Gary Lineker from the Match of the Day was slammed when potential substitutes were announced

Darren Bent believes Gary Lineker fell victim to ‘abandon culture’ as he criticized the BBC’s decision to remove him from the ‘Match of the Day’ presentation.

The ex-Tottenham striker recently criticized the UK government’s new asylum policy, in which he compared the language of the bill to 1930s Germany.

This led to the BBC announcing that Lineker would be taking a “step back” from his presenting role on Saturday night’s Premier League round-up show – which he has been doing since 1999.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright and all-time Premier League top scorer Alan Shearer then explained they will not be appearing at the match of the day, where they will offer their analysis as experts in solidarity with their colleague.

talkSPORT presenter and ex-England international Bent cannot understand the BBC’s decision as he argued Lineker had expressed his freedom of expression.

Speaking on Drive, the 39-year-old said: “It’s crazy isn’t it? It’s amazing what a tweet can do.

“Suddenly social media has become so powerful that people almost take it as gospel.

“But listen, if he believes that, Gary Lineker, it’s free speech. what can i say about him

“Whether I agree with him or not is up to him. But the fact that Wighty chose to back him believes he’s doing the right thing. So this is BBC for you.”

His co-host Andy Goldstein added: “I get it, but it just feels like we’re living in an age now where all you do is fire him, get rid of him, get him off to take away from television.”

Bent noted, “There’s a serious abandonment culture going on right now where you have to be so careful with what you say.

“Whatever you tweet, say or do, people automatically say, ‘Send him, terminate him,’ and that seems to be the norm these days.

“So listen, it’s just one of them, unfortunately.”

Matt Lawton, The Times’ chief football correspondent, then appeared on Drive, where he revealed who could be filling in for Lineker any time soon.

He explained: “As I understand it, the BBC will now be desperately calling either Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, Alex Scott or whoever to try and get someone to step in and host the show now.”

Lawton continued, “I think they’re going to feel the pressure [to turn down the opportunity].

“I think it will take a certain level of professionalism when you work for the BBC and they say ‘we need you to do this’, I don’t think we’re going to be facing an empty seat tomorrow night.

“I don’t envy anyone who steps up and does this.

“I wonder if we’ll see Gary Lineker again at Match of the Day.”