Gary Lineker claims BBC ‘loves’ his social media after he helped write new tips | UK | News | EUROtoday

Gary Lineker has claimed he was concerned in writing the BBC social media tips that gave him “much more freedom” and that the nationwide broadcaster “loves” his use of on-line platforms because it promotes Match of the Day.

The former England striker-turned-presenter argued that BBC audiences that accuse the company of bias are themselves biased. He stated: “The bias is theirs.”

The BBC undertook a evaluate of its social media tips after Mr Lineker tweeted final 12 months about then-Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s small boats coverage.

Following the evaluate by former information government John Hardie, the rules have been revamped to permit hosts of “crown jewel” exhibits, together with Match of the Day, to proceed to take political stances publicly as long as they did not endorse or assault political events or politicians.

Mr Lineker, who has introduced Match of the Day for greater than 20 years, advised an occasion hosted by the Broadcasting Press Guild: “I know the guidelines really well. I was partly involved in drawing them up, in terms of having an interview with John.

“I don’t suppose I’m constrained. I feel I tweet now like I’ve all the time tweeted. I do know the rules inside out. Obviously, the brand new tips enable far more freedom. We’re allowed opinions.”

Talking about how he uses X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Mr Lineker said: “It’s a really helpful platform for me. And it’s nice, and the BBC love me [being] on there as a result of I promote their exhibits.

“We’ve been given a lot more leeway now, which is a good thing. I’m always sensible.”

Despite claiming he’s “allowed opinions”, Mr Lineker lately confronted calls to be sacked after getting into the controversy across the Israel-Hamas warfare.

The former Leicester striker referred to as for Israel to be banned from worldwide soccer.

Mr Lineker reposted a press release by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, which demanded the nation be prevented from taking to the pitch in worldwide matches.

On X, the organisation wrote: “The Palestinian Football Association calls on @iocmedia, @FIFAcom and all regional and int’l sports bodies to take an urgent stance on Israel’s grave violations of human rights and subject it to legal accountability measures.”

Editor of the Jewish Chronicle, Jake Wallis Simons, blasted the BBC presenter over the reposting, saying: “Gary Lineker has retweeted a call for Israel to be barred from international football. Could this be the same Lineker who pocketed £1.6million from Qatar? And covered the World Cup there? Why, yes. Yes, it is.”

Express.co.uk has contacted the BBC for commment.