Gary Lineker blasts BBC for ‘losing their way’ as axed host points out ‘massive problem’ | Football | Sport
Gary Lineker has accused the BBC of ‘losing their way’ when it comes to their impartiality rules in his first interview since leaving Match of the Day. The former England striker recently left the Beeb after more than two decades on their books, presenting his final episode last month. He was already due to step down from the flagship show but was initially expected to host live coverage of next season’s FA Cup and the World Cup.
However, his exit was accelerated after he shared a video about Zionism on social media, for which he later apologised. Lineker was never afraid to voice his political opinions during his time with the BBC, which resulted in no shortage of controversy. Presenters are held to strict impartiality standards but the 64-year-old believes the rules have simply been taken too far.
In a talk at Glastonbury over the weekend, according to The Sun, Lineker said: “The impartiality issue has become a massive problem that I think they’ve probably created themselves by the rules that have been set within the business.
“I understand in your news and current affairs they have to be generally impartial but, I mean, it is hot today right? I think we can all say that we don’t need someone to come in to tell us it’s actually not hot. We just need to know the truth.
“I think they’ve lost their way a little bit with that and there’s a degree of impartiality at the very top of the BBC. There are thousands of amazing people at the BBC but it’s not reflected at the top. They’ve tied themselves up in knots with it.”
Lineker also claimed the BBC had announced his exit before even making him aware of their decision. It came after he admitted his regret over his ill-judged social media post, which he said ‘gave people ammunition to shoot me’.
“I had a little group chat back then, particularly with Ian Wright and Alan Shearer,” explained Lineker. “I said I had a feeling they’re going to take me off air on Saturday and Ian Wright immediately said: ‘If they do that I’m going to go’.
“So the next day they announced I wasn’t doing the show. They actually announced it without telling me first.
“I just thought what’s the point of having a big platform if you don’t use it to kind of push beliefs that you believe to be right.”
Despite the messy nature of his exit, Lineker added: “I love the BBC. I always will and I’m not bitter or twisted about anything that happened.”
He also shared his support for political rap group Kneecap after their Glastonbury performance was not streamed live on the BBC and finished his talk by saying: “Free Palestine.”
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