Gary Lineker slammed for latest breach of BBC rules: ‘Have to get rid of him!’

Gary Lineker slammed for latest breach of BBC rules: ‘Have to get rid of him!’

WATCH NOW: Fury at Gary Lineker's latest social media storm

GB News
Georgia Pearce

By Georgia Pearce


Published: 15/01/2024

- 17:06

Gary Lineker has landed himself in hot water in recent months for his social media posts

BBC presenter Gary Lineker has come under fire once again following his latest political outburst on social media, with a former MP calling for the broadcaster to "get rid of him".

The Match of the Day presenter has continued to publicly air his political views online, following new guidelines introduced by the broadcaster.


In his most recent posting session on X, Lineker reposted a series of images, calling for a ban on Israel's participation in international football.

The tweet called for an "urgent stance" by the football associations on Israel's "grave violations of international law", as events which began on October 7 between Israel and Gaza continue.

Gary Lineker

Gary Lineker has called for Israel to be banned from international football

PA

The reposting is the latest move by the presenter to land him in hot water with the BBC's social media guidance as well as critics.

Lineker has recently become involved in many rows with Conservative MPs on the platform, after criticising Government policy.

Speaking to GB News, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps condemned the posts and called for Lineker to "stick to football".

He added that the world would be a "better place" if Lineker didn't air his views on social media.

Reacting to his political stance on Israel and football, former MP Simon Danczuk questioned why the BBC "put up with him", and urged the broadcaster to "get rid of him".

Danczuk told hosts Tom Harwood and Emily Carver: "I think it brings the whole institution into disrepute.

"It's unbelievable that they haven't held him to account on this and previous issues that he's got involved in.

"He gets a considerable amount of money from licence fee payers, who can't avoid paying this by the way, and I think it's about time action was taken."

Danczuk also highlighted the "key contrast" which contradicts the presenter's move, as he was paid "a considerable amount of money" to present the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

Simon Danczuk

Simon Danczuk has urged the BBC to "get rid" of Gary Lineker

GB News

Fellow GB News panellist Candice Holdsworth argued in response: "He's got a lucrative podcast, not affiliated to the BBC.

"He might be thinking maybe he can make more money elsewhere now.

"Maybe he knows he can just act with impunity, that no one's going to do anything. He just enjoys having this controversial opinion.

"He's allowed to have his opinion, but plenty of people resent having to pay the license fee for that."

A BBC source told The Telegraph of the post: "We aren’t going to give a commentary on individuals or individual tweets."

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