Talks between the BBC and Gary Lineker are ‘moving in the right direction’ over a return to its normal sports broadcasting coverage, it has been reported.
Football coverage on BBC and TV radio shows was plunged into chaos over the weekend following the corporation’s decision to take the former England international off air for his comments likening the government’s asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany.
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The Lineker row led to chaos across the BBC’s football coverage
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But it looks like the crisis is about to be resolved
There are “hopes of a resolution soon, but not all issues are ‘fully resolved’ at this stage”, BBC News added.
The Sun reports that Lineker will be back for the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next weekend.
Pundits and commentators withdrawing in solidarity with Lineker resulted in Match of the Day being aired for only 20 minutes on Saturday without accompanying commentary or analysis from presenters.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s edition of Match of the Day 2 will run for a reduced 15 minutes.
Coverage of the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Manchester United also aired without a pre-match presentation, and with world feed commentary used instead of regular BBC presenters.
The BBC was forced into an embarrassing apology for only being able to offer ‘limited programming.’
Saturday’s MOTD coverage was very unlike any edition of the BBC’s coverage
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BBC director-general, Tim Davie, apologised for the disruption caused to the broadcaster’s sports programming, but confirmed he will not resign over the Lineker impartiality row.
Davie told BBC News Washington on Sunday: “I’m very sorry for the disruption today. It’s been a difficult day and I’m sorry that audiences have been affected and they haven’t got the programming.
“As a keen sports fan, I know like everyone that to miss programming is a real blow and I am sorry about that.
“We are working very hard to resolve the situation and make sure that we get output back on air.”
talkSPORT
In case a deal isn’t agreed between Lineker and the BBC, we know just the guy to do the job
“I would say Gary Lineker is a superb broadcaster. He’s the best in the business, that’s not for debate,” he added.
“To be clear, success for me is: Gary gets back on air and together we are giving to the audiences that world-class sports coverage which, as I say, I’m sorry we haven’t been able to deliver today.”
talkSPORT had fans covered last night to get their Premier League fix with a change to our schedule at 10:30pm to bring you ‘Game of the Day’ – every single Premier League game was dissected, analysed and comprehensively covered.
And just in case things don’t get resolved, we’re willing to offer Alan Brazil’s services as MOTD presenter!