'In the circumstances, we do not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme.'įormer Arsenal striker Ian Wright also tweeted on Friday: 'Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I've told the BBC I won't be doing it tomorrow. 'We are comforted that football fans who want to watch their teams should still be able to do so, as management can use World Feed commentary if they wish. He said: 'As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to step down from night's broadcast. Regular Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson shared that he and other talking heads have vowed not to participate in the next programme. 'Footballers showing more backbone than MPs.' If we don't cherish & fiercely protect free speech, even for views we personally despise, we're no better than totalitarian regimes like China & North Korea.'įormer Green Party leader Caroline Lucas also said yesterday: 'Where’s the political support? Gary is right to call out this morally repugnant policy, express solidarity with refugees fleeing oppression & learn lessons from the 30s which started with language that dehumanised minorities. Later, he added: 'It's absolutely insane that Britain has become a country where having an opinion can cost you your job. I now demand the BBC suspend every presenter who has made public comment about news or current affairs - starting with Sir David Attenborough and Lord Sugar,' Morgan tweeted. The tweets come as rows surrounding Gary Lineker's outspoken views blare on Last night, TalkTV host Piers Morgan slammed the BBC for its 'spineless' approach to the situation. Since the controversy kicked off, numerous celebrities and politicians have voiced their support for the football personality. We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.' 'When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines. It said: 'The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. The BBC claimed this was a breach of guidelines, adding that Lineker would 'step back from presenting Match of the Day' until an 'agreed and clear position' is established surrounding his social media use. 'This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the '30s.' We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. The tweet comes just as Match of the Day presenter Lineker stepped back from his role at the BBC following outspoken tweets, with a resolution currently pending.Ĭriticising the Government's new asylum plans earlier this week, he said: 'There is no huge influx. Comments flooded in drawing attention to the timing of Susie's last night's chosen word
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |