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Fatboy Slim honors Gary Lineker during DJ set amid BBC controversy

The BBC ruled out that Gary Lineker violated impartiality standards with his 'Nazi' joke tweet, comparing the government's immigration policy to Germany in the 1930s

LONDON, ENGLAND: During his DJ set on Friday, March 10, 2023, Fatboy Slim supported Gary Lineker amid the 'Match of the Day' controversy. The BBC ruled that Lineker, 62, violated impartiality standards with his "Nazi" joke tweet, comparing the Home Office's immigration policy to Germany in the 1930s, and he will no longer host the country's premier football show. The former England striker was informed by BBC executives that he either needed to cease his politicized posts or leave the organization altogether.

During Fatboy Slim's performance at Manchester's O2 Victoria Warehouse, Linekar's face could be seen as part of the stage's visual effects. Fatboy Slim, whose real name is Norman Cook, released the footage on his Twitter account after someone in the audience captured it. "Enough respect #ImWithGary @GaryLineker," he captioned the video, reports Daily Mail.

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Gary Lineker's 'Match of The Day' controversy

Gary Lineker, 62, the host of 'Match of the Day', shared online a video of Mrs Braverman revealing details of her new Illegal Migration Bill with the comment, "Good heavens, this is beyond awful." He called the measures to address the immigration problem "immeasurably cruel" on his 8.6 million-follower Twitter account. The 'Match of The Day' host was made to "step back" from the network's premier sports show after he compared the immigration policy to Nazi Germany.

The former England footballer, who has previously received criticism for making other anti-Tory comments, retorted in response to a user who accused him of being "out of order". "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?" he said.

There was outrage from the footballing world after Lineker was removed from the show. According to reports, Mark Chapman canceled his appearance at the concert due to the argument.

The weekend show was then canceled as a gesture of support for Lineker from his co-hosts Ian Wright and Alan Shearer. As a show of support for Lineker, several pundits, including Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, and Micah Richards, also declared they wouldn't take part. The presenters' revolt was referred to as a "proper BBC crisis" by a well-placed insider. Also, it has been disclosed that after Saturday's games, no interviews with football players or managers would be conducted during 'Match Of The Day', as per Daily Mail.

The BBC stated it was unable to fill the open hot seat with a presenter, and as it lacks prominent commentators, it might have to rely on the Premier League's global feed service. Steve Wilson, a regular 'Match of the Day' pundit, indicated that he and other pundits have pledged not to appear on the upcoming broadcast. He stated, "As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to step down from [Saturday] night's broadcast. We are comforted that football fans who want to watch their teams should still be able to do so, as management can use World Feed commentary if they wish."

According to a source close to 'Match of the Day', the production team is even "considering walking in support of Gary Lineker and have contacted their union," according to MailOnline. They were hesitant to move forward. As there has "been no ballot action, they won't be protected by law."

BBC plunging into crisis

The BBC once considered completely canceling the Saturday night broadcast. However, the complete termination would have violated their £70 million per year Premier League contract. In order to ensure that the show could air, the BBC's director of sport Barbara Slater, head of TV sport Philip Bernard, and MOTD editor Richard Hughes spent Thursday night in crisis negotiations with the production team.

After comparing the language used to announce a new clampdown on migrants traveling across the Channel in small boats to 1930s Germany, Lineker, the highest-paid celebrity at the BBC, ignited a massive political controversy this week. According to Richard Sambrook, a former executive at the BBC, there is "a lot of confusion" on whether Lineker and other freelance broadcasters, who do not work in news, should be held to the same impartiality standards as permanent employees.

'Democracy counts!'

The Internet was divided over BBC's decision to remove Gary from 'MOTD', with users speaking out their distinct opinions. One social media user said, "Great, just pure football then!" Another said, "Sack them all. Time for a fresh look." Another wrote, "None of them will be missed. lots of ex-footballers out there. Most will be better."

Another set of Internet users supported Gary's freedom of speech as one of them wrote, "Democracy counts! Whatever happened to freedom of speech? Famous or not, everyone is entitled to speak out. Well done I say." Another one said, "Good for them #standwithlineker." "So no diversity whatsoever on the bbc. All woke lefties," wrote another.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.