After the excitement surrounding his public criticism of British asylum policy, Gary Lineker will no longer be employed by the BBC as a football expert for the time being. According to the broadcaster, a "clear position" on his future handling of social media should be found before a possible return of the former England international.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Lineker had compared the language used by the government in its asylum plans with that of "Germany in the 30s". The policy of Interior Minister Suella Braverman is "more than terrible". Lineker has been presenting the highlights of the English Premier League in the programme "Match of the Day" since 1999.
"The BBC has had extensive discussions with Gary and his team over the last few days. We have said we consider his recent social media activities to be a breach of our guidelines," a BBC spokesperson said.
Braverman had revealed plans to prevent migrants from crossing the English Channel with small boats. "There is not a big influx. We take in far fewer refugees than other large European countries," Lineker reacted: "This is simply an immeasurably cruel policy directed against the weakest."