GARY LINEKER has opened up on his emotional response to Ian Wright’s Match of the Day boycott following his BBC suspension.
Lineker, 64, was taken off air in March 2023 after the Beeb claimed that he had “breached their guidelines” regarding social media.
The veteran presenter had posted on X, comparing the Government’s plans to ban migrants arriving on small boats from settling in Britain with “1930’s Germany”.
This sparked a “free speech row” as Lineker’s BBC colleagues Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards all refused to step in.
Commentators subsequently also went on strike, leading to the programme going out with no punditry or analysis.
Reflecting on the episode while speaking to the BBC’s Amol Rajan, Lineker said: “I was just having late lunch and Ian Wright went public saying… (that he would boycott)”
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Asked if Wright called him in advance, Lineker continued: “No, but we have a group chat.
“And the day before, I said this might result with them taking me off air.
“And he went: ‘That’s so ridiculous’. And he said: ‘If they do, I’m not doing the show’.
“It’s one thing saying that, it’s a very much different thing actually doing it.
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“I was in the back of a cab on the way home when that happened and I was crying, because that doesn’t happen, that show of support, it’s incredible.”
Lineker was later reinstated by the BBC, with Director General Tim Davie apologising for the “difficult period” for staff, presenters and audiences.
Last November, The Sun revealed that Lineker would be stepping down as Match of the Day host at the end of the season.
The former striker will be replaced by a rotating cast of Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan.
Lineker will continue to present live coverage of FA Cup matches for the BBC during the 2025-26 season, before leaving the public broadcaster following the 2026 World Cup.
Reflecting on the decision during his conversation with Rajan, Lineker admitted: “Well, perhaps they want me to leave. There was the sense of that.
‘A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE PROGRAMME’
“I always wanted one more contract, and I was umm-ing and ahh-ing about whether to do three years [more].
“In the end, I think there was a feeling that, because it was a new rights period, it was a chance to change the programme.
“I think it was their preference that I didn’t do Match of the Day for one more year, so they could bring in new people.”
Lineker has ruled out becoming a regular on another TV channel.
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The former England captain told FourFourTwo: “I don’t think you’ll see me doing much football, apart from the podcast.
“I’ll do the odd thing, but I don’t think you’ll see me appearing regularly on another channel.”
