BBC reaches deal with Gary Lineker after Twitter row

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Gary Lineker will return as presenter of the BBC football show Match of the Day, the broadcaster announced on Monday, ending a crisis sparked by his criticism of the UK government's new asylum policy.

"Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend," said BBC Director-General Tim Davie.

The former England footballer was forced to "step back" from presenting Match of the Day after using Twitter to compare the language used to launch the new policy to the rhetoric of Nazi-era Germany.

Fellow presenters, pundits, and commentators then refused to work over the weekend in support, throwing the broadcaster's sports coverage into disarray.

Lineker tweeted on Monday: "I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday."

"However difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn't compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away," he expressed.

After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming. 1/4

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023

Davie apologized for the disruption to the service, saying he recognized the "potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC's social media guidance."

"Impartiality is important to the BBC. That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles," he indicated.

Davie pointed out that an independent review of the guidance will be conducted, including how it applies to freelancers such as Lineker.