Gary Lineker offered huge new job just hours after controversial BBC axing – as future of Match Of The Day in doubt
GARY LINEKER has reportedly been offered a new job by BT Sport.
It comes as the BBC veteran was suspended from presenting Match Of The Day amid an ongoing dispute with the BBC over his tweets.
Mr Lineker has received an outpouring of support since and it appears he could be set for multiple job offers too.
BT Sport are interested in hiring the presenter as part of their planned summer revamp to become TNT Sports, according to the Daily Mail.
The broadcaster has been bought by Warner Brothers Discovery and they are reportedly planning to expand their football coverage.
They want the ex-England star, 62, to be the face of their new venture, which includes Premier League and Champions League coverage.
BT Sport have the rights for those competitions for two and four more years respectively.
They are also believed to be in the market for EFL rights, which are currently held by Sky Sports.
Lineker previously worked for BT Sport between 2015-2021 and has presented Match Of The Day since 1999.
He decided to step down to watch his beloved Leicester City on their European journey in the Europa Conference League last season, with Brendan Rodgers’ side reaching the semi-final.
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And Mr Lineker was at the King Power Stadium today to watch the Foxes in action against Chelsea following his Match of the Day axing.
It comes as the veteran broadcaster sparked a free speech row when he compared the Government’s plans to ban migrants arriving on small boats from settling in Britain with “1930’s Germany”.
The BBC said Mr Lineker’s criticism of the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill on Twitter was a “breach of our guidelines”.
The pundit was then forced to step back from presenting duties on the flagship football show – that he’s presented since 1999 – until a “clear position” on his social media use is agreed.
But his suspension sparked chaos as scores of Match of the Day co-hosts refused to appear in solidarity with the veteran presenter.
Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards all refused to fill in amid the chaos.
The show’s commentary team are also standing down – meaning the show will go without presenters, pundits or commentators.
It means the show will be highlights only and will last just 20 minutes, reports the Daily Mail.
Now in another shocking twist, it’s been revealed that Football Focus is being pulled off the air.
The Sun revealed this morning that Alex Scott chose to not host the programme following the suspension storm.
TWITTER ROW
The free speech row was triggered when Mr Lineker responded to a video on Twitter of Home Secretary Suella Braverman as she presented the Government’s small boats plan.
The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
Sharing the clip, Mr Lineker said: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”
Responding to another user who described him as “out of order”, he added: “We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
“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, and I’m out of order?”
In a statement earlier, the BBC outlined they had undergone “extensive discussions” with the ex-England star, 62, following the furore.
While the Beeb praised his sports coverage as “second to none” they said he should “keep well away from taking sides” on party political topics.
The full statement read: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days.
“We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
“The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.
“When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.
“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.”