Gary Lineker to leave BBC's Match of the Day

I like him.

I listen to The Rest is Football and The Rest is Politics, didn't realise until recently he was involved in the company who owns them.
 
As I said in the original post, it's the end of an era and he's generally been a very good presenter. His political views are broadly quite sensible but he's made some obvious errors and misjudgements.

I really enjoyed The Rest is Football podcast to start with, I think Micah can be annoying though. The Football Ramble is my favourite at the moment...

It's a bit of a shame he won't be presenting the World Cup.
 
Sorry i wasnt too familar with the Lineker situation so what did he do that made the BBC part ways with him? It was a mutual agreement right?
 
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Kyo said:
Sorry i wasnt too familar with the Lineker situation so what did he do that made the BBC part ways with him? It was a mutual agreement right?
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He's been a bit of a knob on social media previously then went on a zionist rant the other day, including posting pro palastine memes including one of a rat, which is historically antisemitic imagery
 
Nate75 said:
Yes he shouldn't have an opinion, madness lol
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He was warned after the last time, the bbc changed hows its 'presenters' are allowed to engage on social media. The jug eared **** couldn't abide by said rules so he's gone. He's now free to post as much antisemetic guff as he wants, win win for all involved no?
 
I don't think anyone believes he's genuinely antisemitic, but this is a good example of why people with a platform need to be very cautious.

The Israel-Palestine stuff is a total nightmare to discuss anyway, so much emotion on all sides.
 
C Kent said:
He was warned after the last time, the bbc changed hows its 'presenters' are allowed to engage on social media. The jug eared **** couldn't abide by said rules so he's gone. He's now free to post as much antisemetic guff as he wants, win win for all involved no?
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Nobody believes he's antisemitic.

Guilty of resposting things he shouldn't, I wouldn't disagree.
 
Robbo said:
As I said in the original post, it's the end of an era and he's generally been a very good presenter. His political views are broadly quite sensible but he's made some obvious errors and misjudgements.

I really enjoyed The Rest is Football podcast to start with, I think Micah can be annoying though. The Football Ramble is my favourite at the moment...

It's a bit of a shame he won't be presenting the World Cup.
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His political views are quite divisive and partisan. I would imagine that on many of them half the country would disagree with them being sensible. He is perfectly OK to hold these views but the problem lies with him being a BBC employee. As long as the BBC is paid for by a tax levied on the taxpayer, whether they watch it or not, it is vital that it is impartial. The BBC exists for those who think his views are sensible. It also exists for those who think they are not.

Lineker did a very good job as a football presenter, it is a shame he didn't accept the principle of impartiality that goes with his platform on the BBC. It is interesting how many others at the BBC were angry with his lack of impartiality.
 
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BaZ87 said:
What’s mad is it’s the free speech crowd that are outraged that he’s voiced his opinion. Well, it’s not really mad, it’s entirely predictable.
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I don't see how it is mad at all. The issue isn't him holding an opinion or expressing it. The issue is expressing an opinion while a broadcaster for the BBC. If he were expressing an opinion while working for ITV or SKY (or any other broadcaster) people wouldn't care.

If SKY broadcast something a person finds objectionable, then that person has the option to not pay for SKY. If the BBC broadcast something objectionable then people still have to pay for it, even if they choose not to watch the BBC.

The BBC is for everyone, whether they want it or not. The other, non taxpayer funded, broadcasters are for whoever freely chooses to watch and support them. If I decide I want to neither watch nor pay for SKY, I won't have someone calling at my door demanding money.
 
spudbynight said:
If SKY broadcast something a person finds objectionable, then that person has the option to not pay for SKY. If the BBC broadcast something objectionable then people still have to pay for it, even if they choose not to watch the BBC.
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But he's not broadcast anything on the BBC? This is his personal account.
 
Shamikebab said:
But he's not broadcast anything on the BBC? This is his personal account.
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That doesn't make a difference. His profile is due to his presence on the BBC. Those on the BBC are all bound to observe due impartiality, even on their "personal" X accounts.

These are the rules all the other BBC presenters are expected to adhere to. Gary just doesn't think the rules should apply to him.
 
spudbynight said:
His political views are quite divisive and partisan. I would imagine that on many of them half the country would disagree with them being sensible.
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At times he has perhaps communicated them poorly - but I don't think they are particularly divisive. Getting involved in politics never really ends well :p
 
Shamikebab said:
I mean, the fact he was a world famous footballer might have had a bit of an impact.
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OK, compare his X profile with those who were big names at the same time.

Gary Lineker - 8.7M X followers
Chris Waddle - 144k followers
John Barnes - 324k followers
Peter Shilton - 60k followers

Lineker retired from International football in 1992. That is 33 years ago.

Look at top international players at the time.

Roberto Baggio - 121k followers
Lothar Matthäus - 88k followers
Ruud Gullit - 617k follower


Gary Lineker's profile is a direct result of his job with the BBC - not his career as a footballer. You won't find any other contemporary footballer with a similar profile unless they also are a major TV presenter.
 
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