BBC fairness issue ‘almost unresolved’ – Gary Lineker

Gary Lineker has said that the furore over his tweet about the government’s asylum policy was “disproportionate”, adding that he believes the issue of fairness at the BBC is “virtually unresolved”.

The Match of the Day presenter was taken off air by the broadcaster in March after he posted a tweet in which he said the language used by the government to promote its asylum schemes bore no resemblance to 1930s Germany Was.

The 62-year-old later returned to his current role following a boycott by top on-air talent.

Lineker, who received a special international award at a sports and human rights ceremony in Rome, said he would “continue to speak out”.

Speaking of the circumstances that led to her being forced out of the broadcast, Lineker told Channel 4 News: “I felt right to act, I never had any doubt that I had helped people in terrible circumstances. have done something terrible wrong or anything other than supporting the United States, running away from war, running away from climate change, all kinds of things that can result in a person leaving their home, which is really unimaginable.

“I think it got a little out of control. It was out of proportion. So, I was never that way too concerned.”

Speaking about his view of the government’s policy on migration, Lineker said: “I disagree with their policy. I think most people do. I don’t know if this would actually even be legal.

“We’ll see if anybody actually goes there. But to me it’s more about the language that’s sometimes used across the board in general. You know, when they’re talking about ‘criminal’, and ‘rapist’ ‘ and use words like ‘attack’ and ‘swarm.’ All I was asking for was a little mercy.

Lineker also spoke about whether he thought the position of director general Tim Davey had been weakened as a result of the controversy and told Channel 4 News: “I don’t think so – he reacted to events the way they came and In the end he kind of turned around, listened, and I guess, overall, I don’t see him in a vulnerable position.

“It is an incredibly difficult job. Objectivity is really difficult at the BBC and I think it is an issue that is almost unresolved.

The Sport and Human Rights Awards are part of a collaboration between Amnesty International and the Italian organization Sport4Society, designed to highlight outstanding contributions to human rights in the field of sport.

During Wednesday’s ceremony at the National Federation of the Italian Press, Lineker was given a special international award for his commitment to promoting human rights through his work as a commentator and for his support of Amnesty UK’s Football Welcome campaign. which celebrates the contribution of sportspersons with a refugee background. make up for the game.

Lineker was described by Amnesty International as a “staunch advocate for the rights of refugees and migrants”.