Gary Lineker ‘pardoned’ by BBC and will return to work after tweets critical of UK government immigration policy

English former footballer and commentator Gary Lineker it will return to the screens after the string BBC decided this Monday to lift the suspension weighing on the top scorer of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico for a publication in Chirping who had criticized the British government’s new asylum policy.

“Gary is a valuable part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I can’t wait for him to feature our coverage next weekend”said BBC director general Tim Davie.

British national television was forced to cancel much of its sports programming for the weekend after what Commentators, analysts and Premier League players will refuse to appear in programs as a show of support for Lineker.

Lineker, one of England’s most successful footballers and the highest paid British TV presenter, was suspended on Friday after comparing the Conservative government’s rhetoric on migrants to that used in Nazi Germany.

“Not a huge influx. We accept far fewer refugees than other large European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy that targets the most vulnerable people in language not unlike that used by Germany in the 1930s, and I am I out? “place?” had posted the former footballer.

The BBC said the tweet breached its standards of fairness, though critics accused the network of stifle free speech.

Davie said an independent review of the BBC’s social media standards would be carried out to address “grey areas” in its protocol.

Lineker’s message

Lineker, known for his fanaticism for Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Argentine football, defended himself after learning his suspension had been lifted by the BBC.

“After a surreal few days, I am delighted that we have gone down this path. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, especially my colleagues at BBC Sport, for their amazing show of solidarity. Football is a team game, but the their support has been overwhelming,” he began in a Twitter thread.

He continued: “I have presented sports at the BBC for nearly 3 decades and am immensely proud to be working with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I can’t wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.”

In this sense, Lineker took the opportunity to reiterate his position on the statements that led to the punishment of the BBC.

“One last thought: As difficult as the last few days have been, they simply don’t compare to having to flee persecution or war at home to seek refuge in a distant land. It is heartwarming to see the empathy for their plight from so many of you,” he said.

And he closed with a heartfelt emoticon: “We continue to be a predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous country. Thank you”.