Match of the Day host Gary Lineker ‘getting new BBC contract’ months after ban
Gary Lineker 'vomits all over hotel room' after taking Snus
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker is reportedly set for talks with the BBC over a new contract, just eight months after the former England striker was suspended for his social media activity criticising the UK government. The row saw fellow MOTD stars Ian Wright and Alan Shearer take part in a Beeb boycott before Lineker was reinstated.
The Daily Mail have claimed that as the broadcaster’s highest-paid on-air talent, talks will be opened next month with Lineker over a new contract once their successful bid to show four more years of the Premier League is confirmed. After rivals ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 did not enter the rights auction, the BBC will continue to broadcast highlights of top-flight games with Lineker at the helm.
Lineker’s contract expires at the end of the BBC’s previous deal following the 2024/25 season, but his £1.35million-a-year contract is set to be renewed. This is despite the controversy surrounding his social media activity in March that saw him suspended.
The 62-year-old was suspended for a week after insisting that the government’s language surrounding their asylum policy was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.
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After his ban was confirmed by the BBC, several of his colleagues refused to take to the air and the strike eventually saw Lineker reinstated. He has continued to speak publicly about his political opinions, recently backing pro-Palestine marches and protestors’ right to hold events in London on Armistice Day.
Lineker has since admitted that he regrets the post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that kickstarted a BBC boycott. When asked by GQ if he would send the same message again, he replied: “I wouldn’t, purely because it was pitched as me versus the BBC, and I’m part of the team at the BBC.
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“And I love the BBC. For all its difficulties and problems, it’s an incredible institution. It’s something we should be massively proud of, and sometimes we rubbish it.”
The Beeb have since drawn up new social media guidelines for their freelance presenters, which Lineker has described as “all very sensible”. Flagship hosts are no longer allowed to criticise political parties while presenting, criticise the character of individual politicians in the UK or comment on political debate during an election period.
By extending his contract Lineker appears to be willing to comply with the new guidelines, while the BBC will also host Champions League highlights from next season. Lineker previously presented coverage of the European competition for BT Sport before it was rebranded to TNT Sports. It remains to be seen whether Lineker will present coverage of the expanded tournament.
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