Ian Wright says he will not appear on Match of the Day tomorrow in “solidarity” with Gary Lineker after the BBC said the presenter is stepping back from hosting the programme.

In reaction to the news, Wright tweeted: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.”

Other commentators and football pundits have also reacted to the news.

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville was among them. He tweeted: “When you take on the Tories and the system! Awful people who we need gone. Off for a (wine glass emoji).”

Former BBC journalist Jon Sopel drew a comparison with the corporation’s chairman Richard Sharp, who has been involved in a cronyism row over him helping Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan facility.

The former BBC correspondent tweeted: “Lucky there are no producer guidelines on whether you need to declare facilitating an £800k loan to a prime minister while applying for a job as chairman of a broadcasting organisation…”

Despite the BBC’s statement, Sky News understands that Lineker has not agreed to this, and the statement is incorrect.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Lineker has ‘no reason to apologise’

A source close to the presenter has told Sky News that the corporation has taken him off air, as he is unwilling to apologise for his comments this week on social media and admit he should not have done it.

The BBC said Lineker will “step back” from presenting the show until he and the BBC have reached an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Former England footballer John Barnes told Sky News that Lineker has “no reason to apologise”.

He said: “Gary has no reason to apologise he has done absolutely nothing wrong” and spoke about impartiality and the BBC regarding the Qatar World Cup – where Lineker presented coverage for the broadcaster.

‘An assault on free speech’

Meanwhile, a Labour source described the BBC’s decision as “cowardly” and an “assault on free speech”.

They said: “The BBC’s cowardly decision to take Gary Lineker off air is an assault on free speech in the face of political pressure. “Tory politicians lobbying to get people sacked for disagreeing with Government policies should be laughed at, not pandered to. The BBC should rethink their decision.”

Read more:
A history of Gary Lineker’s most controversial tweets
Lineker hits back after home secretary calls his remarks ‘irresponsible’

Asked by Sky’s Political editor Beth Rigby whether the BBC and Lineker might part company, a senior BBC insider said “hopefully it will be resolved”.

Lineker has been embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum policy with 1930s Germany.

Related posts:

Two people arrested after ‘trespassing’ at Prince Andrew’s Windsor home Thousands of doctors planning to leave the NHS citing pandemic stress and burnout Man Utd say fans broke barriers and climbed gates to storm pitch – and deny staff allowed access British student thanks army for evacuating him after going to Afghanistan on holiday Two men charged over murder of journalist Lyra McKee in Northern Ireland Investigation over honours and citizenship for Saudi national launched by police ‘We’re living in days of fakes and lies’: Putin’s spokesman denies war crimes but admits ‘significant’ Russian losses 900 people evacuated as firefighters tackle ‘chemical incident’ at health club in London’s Canary Wharf David Beckham feared for family’s safety after alleged stalker turned up at his daughter’s school ‘Best moment of my life’: Man City unveil statue of Sergio Aguero on 10th anniversary of title-winning goal ‘Prince William came to our house!’: Duke personally delivers damehood to Deborah James Stephen Flynn becomes new SNP leader in Westminster