‘You’ll be on the naughty step again!’: Alan Shearer jokingly tells Gary Lineker he has ‘had a few yellow cards’ after being the Match of the Day presenter for the first time since the BBC’s impartiality controversy returned to the program last month
- Gary Lineker returned to Match of the Day after a short break on Saturday
- Alan Shearer mocked his colleague’s controversy over Lineker’s return
- Lineker has been absent from MOTD since his temporary suspension
Alan Shearer poked fun at Gary Lineker after returning to Match of the Day for the first time since last month’s impartiality squabble.
Lineker did not immediately address the controversy upon his on-screen return, instead making a celebratory joke at the expense of Shearer and fellow pundit Danny Murphy, referring to the pair’s baldness.
Shearer brutally hit back by referring to the row replying, “You’ve had a few yellow cards, you’ll get another one soon.” You’re on the naughty stairs again!’
Ironically, despite the recent Twitter incident, Lineker was never booked as a player during his 16-year senior career.
The 62-year-old’s return to the program came after an impartiality controversy last month after he tweeted comparing the language of the government’s immigration plan to that of 1930s Germany, which led to the BBC expelling him. took to the air.
Alan Shearer poked fun at Gary Lineker after returning to host Match of the Day
Lineker made his first appearance in the program on Saturday after being temporarily removed last month
Colleagues of the former Leicester City star, including Ian Wright, Alan Shearer and Alex Scott, boycotted the BBC’s programs in protest at the decision, before Lineker was reinstated with an apology from Director-General Tim Davie.
In a statement following the altercation, Davie said: ‘Everyone recognizes that this has been a difficult period for the staff, employees, presenters and most importantly our audience.
‘My apologies. The potential confusion caused by the gray areas of the BBC’s social media guidelines introduced in 2020 is acknowledged. I want things resolved and our sports content back on the air.
BBC director-general Tim Davie pulled out of the line and apologized after backlash
Impartiality is important to the BBC. It is also important to the public. The BBC has a commitment to impartiality and a commitment to freedom of expression in its charter.
“That’s a tough balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and temping positions, and with different audiences and social media profiles.
‘The BBC’s social media guidelines are designed to meet these sometimes difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure guidance is up to the task. It must be clear, proportionate and appropriate.’