Gary Lineker being eyed up to present Premier League show after BBC row

Gary Lineker is being eyed up for a new presenting role amid his ongoing row with the BBC.

The Match of the Day host has been told to step back from his position until he reaches an agreement over his social media activity.

Lineker had tweeted criticising the government's new asylum policy and received huge backlash from Conservative MPs, leading to the BBC deciding he was guilty of a "breach of our guidelines".

But in response, pundits, commentators and other broadcasters rallied in support of the former England striker - throwing the BBC's sporting programming into complete disarray.

Football Focus and Final Score were pulled off the air after boycotts from Alex Scott, Jason Mohammad and Kelly Somers.

And as a result, Match of the Day on Saturday night will be a 20-minute highlights show without any studio presentation, commentary or post-match interviews for the first time in history.

Lineker spent the Saturday watching his beloved Leicester City take on Chelsea at the King Power Stadium but according to the Daily Mail, he is wanted by BT Sport.

Image: Alamy

The 62-year-old will likely not be short of offers in the event that he does not continue with the BBC.

And it's emerged BT want him to front their Premier League coverage. The channel is to undergo a brand and be known as 'TNT Sports' going forward after being bought out by Warner Brothers Discovery for £650 million.

Lineker, who worked with them previously covering the Champions League for six years, is at the top of their presenter wishlist.

The ex Spurs and Barcelona striker lives nearby to the new west London studios BT are relocating to and the schedule could be tempting.

Image: Alamy

TNT Sports currently has the rights to a further two seasons of live Premier League fixtures in their current arrangement.

If Lineker was to be given the boot after 24 years in the MOTD hotseat, Ian Wright has said he would terminate his contract with the BBC in solidarity with his colleague and friend.

Topics: Gary Lineker, Match Of The Day, BT Sport, Premier League

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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