Fans accuse BBC of double standards over Gary Lineker after Alan Sugar tweets resurface

Angry fans are fuming over BBC’s announcement that Gary Lineker has stepped back from Match of the Day, accusing the broadcaster of double standards.

Earlier in the week, former England and Barcelona striker Lineker was criticised after he tweeted about the government’s latest asylum policy being similar to Nazi Germany.

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

On Friday afternoon, the BBC announced that Lineker will step back from Match of the Day.

Their statement read: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days.

“We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.

“The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we've got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.”

Since the decision was announced, the BBC have been on the end of major criticism by fans after old tweets from Alan Sugar resurfaced.

One person tweeted: “Gary Lineker? Breach of BBC guidelines?? FFS double f**king standards .. okay for Alan Sugar @Lord_Sugar to direct the public to vote for the Tories?? How does this not breach your guidelines??@BBCNewsnight.”

The user added: “If these tweets aren't “taking sides on party political issues or political controversies” WHAT IS??”

Gary Lineker? Breach of BBC guidelines?? FFS double f**king standards .. okay for Alan Sugar @Lord_Sugar to direct the public to vote for the Tories?? How does this not breach your guidelines?? @BBCNewsnight pic.twitter.com/5VP8TZw2si

— Pete Edwards (@MrPeteEdwards) March 10, 2023

Another fan wrote: “The BBC is utterly corrupt. Controlled by the Tory and increasingly fascistic minded. The double standards are off the scale.”

A third added: “When Lord Sugar publicly backed Boris Johnson and the Conservative party he wasn't asked to apologise or step back from presenting The Apprentice. Rank double-standards from the BBC who are now controlled by a right-wing government most people detest.”

The BBC are yet to announce who will be on Match of the Day tomorrow.