Gary Neville blames the ‘Tories and the system’ for the BBC’s decision to AXE Gary Lineker from Match of the Day presenting duties as the vocal labour supporter stands in solidarity with iconic host
Gary Neville has suggested Gary Lineker has been removed from his role as the BBC‘s MOTD lead presenter for taking on ‘the Tories and the system’.
Neville appears to be supporting his fellow presenter who has been axed from the BBC’s Match of the Day show for recent online comments that saw him compare the UK Government’s asylum seeker policy to Nazi Germany.
Former Manchester United full-back turned outspoken pundit Neville has ramped up his political views in recent years and is a big criticiser of the current conservative government.
The BBC later announced that nobody would present Saturday’s show and instead the production would just focus on match action.
Neville – a vocal labour supporter – supported opposition leader Keir Starmer at a conference in September and has often slammed the government on social media. Now he has revealed that ‘the system’ is to blame for Lineker being cancelled.
Gary Neville disagrees with the BBC’s decision to remove Gary Lineker from Match of the Day
Lineker has been temporarily relived of his MOTD presenting duties due to a recent controversial tweet
‘When you take on the Tories and the system! Awful people who we need gone. Off for a (wine),’ tweeted Neville on Friday.
The duo were opposition broadcasters during last year’s Qatar World Cup with Neville fronting for ITV and Lineker the main presenter on the BBC’s tournament coverage. However, that rivalry hasn’t prevented Neville from making a show of solidarity.
Lineker has been temporarily removed from his role by the BBC for breaching the organisations social media guidelines in a recent tweet.
The show’s co-host Ian Wright announced that he wouldn’t be appearing on the weekend’s upcoming edition, while Alan Shearer also revealed a similar stance.
Betting odds currently place Jermaine Jenas as favourite to replace Lineker with Neville an outside favourite to land the iconic role on the football highlights show.
MailOnline have also analysed Lineker’s actions that led up to his recent axing and have explained the ongoing situation.
Neville’s comments outline his belief that the BBC’s decision-making about whether to keep Lineker on air was influenced by the conservative government.
Lineker recently compared the UK Government to Nazi Germany in an online social media post
Lineker (left) won’t feature on the MOTD until issues are resolved while long-term labour supporter Neville (right) has slammed the decision to remove his competing broadcaster
Match of the Day’s decision to take Lineker (left) off air over his comments about the Government has led to a walkout from fellow hosts Alan Shearer (centre) and Ian Wright (right)
Former Tory leader William Hague said it was ‘appropriate’ for Gary Lineker to step back from hosting Match Of The Day.
‘He broke the guidelines I think of the BBC with comments that are highly politicised, which BBC presenters are not meant to do.
‘So that’s against the rules and we’ve got to do something about that, otherwise every presenter can do so on every programme,’ he told Times Radio.
Wider social media reaction has seen some of Lineker’s colleagues make a stand of support, while others have criticised the experienced broadcaster and agree with his removal.