The BBC has announced that Gary Lineker will not present Match of the Day on Saturday until an agreed and clear position on his use of social media is reached.

Gary Lineker to step back from presenting Match of the Day until agreement reached on social media use – BBC statement https://t.co/WMsgqRzWrw

— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBbreaking) March 10, 2023

And the authority said in a statement, on Friday, that it had asked Lineker - who is the highest-paid program presenter in the network - to stop presenting his program, after "extensive discussions" with him.

And it considered that Lineker's activity on social media included a "violation of our guidelines."

She said that the former player "should move away from taking sides in partisan political issues or political differences."

The BBC's decision follows a row over impartiality over comments Lineker made in which he criticized the British government's new asylum policy.

In a tweet, Lineker confirmed his rejection of the immigration law adopted by Interior Minister Suela Braverman, describing the law under which asylum seekers would be detained and deported as "more than terrible."

There is no huge influx.

We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.

This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I'm out of order?

- Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 7, 2023

"There is no massive refugee influx, we take in much less refugees than other major European countries. This is just a harsh policy targeting the most vulnerable people with language not unlike that used by Germany in the 1930s," Lineker added.

Referring to the analogy of the orientation carried by the immigration law, to Nazi Germany.

Lineker was subjected to sharp criticism from the British Conservative government, and widespread calls for the BBC to take a stand on it, which was met with a massive campaign of support from Lineker's supporters on communication platforms.

On the other hand, Lineker continued to tweet, adhering to his opinion and appreciating the support he received from the supporters, and said, "I have never witnessed such love and support in my life as I received this morning. I would like to thank you, it means a lot. I will continue to try and speak on behalf of those poor souls who do not Vote for her."

I have never known such love and support in my life than I'm getting this morning (England World Cup goals aside, possibly).

I want to thank each and every one of you.

It means a lot.

I'll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls who have no voice.

Cheers all.

👊🏻

- Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 8, 2023

Well, it's been an interesting couple of days.

Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting @BBCMOTD on Saturday.

Thanks again for all your incredible support.

It's been overwhelming.

- Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 9, 2023

Great to see the freedom of speech champions out in force this morning demanding silence from those with whom they disagree.

👊🏻

- Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 8, 2023

The Labor Party considered the decision to expel Lineker "an attack on freedom of expression in the face of political pressure," describing the decision as "cowardly."

Labor has condemned the BBC's "cowardly decision" to stand Gary Lineker down from hosting duties on Match Of The Day.

"Tory politicians lobbying to get people sacked for disagreeing with Government policies should be laughed at, not pandered to," the party said pic.twitter.com/ZQJ8MX4aqh

— PA Entertainment (@PAshowbiz) March 10, 2023

Activists and media figures alluded to the contradiction about the BBC's position, as journalist and political editor Liam Thorpe tweeted, "Gary Lineker was forced to withdraw from his job due to allegations of impartiality regarding his views on the government's asylum system, while the head of the BBC, Richard Sharp, continued his work." After his role in helping to grant Boris Johnson a £800,000 loan.

Gary Lineker forced to withdraw from his job because of claims of impartiality over his views on the government's asylum system

BBC chairman Richard Sharp has continued in his job after his role in helping to land Boris Johnson an £800,000 loan

— Liam Thorp (@LiamThorpECHO) March 10, 2023

Renowned commentator Boris Morgan said: "What nonsense? How pathetically weak I now demand the BBC suspend every broadcaster who has made general comments on news or current affairs, starting with Sir David Attenborough and Lord Sugar."

WTF?

How pathetically spineless.. I now demand the BBC suspend every presenter who has made public comment about news or current affairs – starting with Sir David Attenborough and Lord Sugar.

https://t.co/7DRtFEOAVa

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 10, 2023

For their part, the English Premier League players intend not to participate in television interviews with the BBC after Saturday’s matches.

"We have been advised that players participating in today's matches will not be required to give interviews to Match of the Day," a spokesperson for the Professional Footballers' Association said.

"The League has spoken with members who want to take a collective stand, and want to show their support for those who have chosen not to participate in Tonight's programme. During those conversations, we made it clear that, as a League, we will support all members who may face the consequences of not completing their broadcast commitments," the spokesperson added.

In what some considered in solidarity with Lineker's position, commentators on the program published: Steve Wilson, Connor McNamara, Robin Quinn, and Stephen Wyeth;

They released a joint statement online, saying they "did not feel it would be appropriate to participate in the program" on Saturday.

If @FineGael were actually addressing the housing crisis, we'd be inundated by photos of Leo handing people the keys to new houses and landlords to new tenements.

Except, you know, we're not… #latelate

— Conor McNamara (@conorgmcnamara) March 10, 2023

Alex Scott hinted at the same thing, while 6 members of the show's commentary team said they wouldn't participate either.

In a later statement, a BBC spokesperson said: "Some of our critics have said they do not wish to appear on the show. We understand their position and have decided that the show should focus on match action, without studio presentation or (analytical) discussion."