Some football fans on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter), have humorously proposed that the BBC should replace outgoing sports broadcaster Gary Lineker with Ghanaian comedian and presenter Akwasi Boadi, popularlyknown as Akrobeto.
Fans of the BBC’s Match of the Day show jokingly suggested that Akrobeto would be an ideal successor to Lineker, who is stepping down from the programme after a 25-year run at the end of the current football season.
In response to the buzz, a clip of Akrobeto delivering sports news on UTV was shared online, quickly racking up over 2 million views. Many English football fans remarked on how entertaining the show would be with Akrobeto at the helm.
The well-known comic actor presents news with a comedic twist on his television show, The Real News. A highlight of the show is his sports segment, where his amusing mispronunciations of football team names have created countless viral moments.
Alex Kay-Jelski, BBC Sport’s director, has confirmed that Gary Lineker will indeed leave the programme but will continue to host the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“Gary is a world-class presenter, and we’re delighted that he’ll lead our coverage of the next World Cup and continue to lead our live coverage of the FA Cup,” he said, as quoted by UK outlet The Independent.
“After 25 seasons,Gary is stepping down from MOTD.We want to thank him for everything he has done for the show, which continues to attract millions of viewers each week. He’ll be hugely missed on the show, but we’re so happy he is staying with the BBC to present live football,” he added.
Gary Lineker disclosed an unusual conflict with Jose Mourinho, which originated when the former Manchester United manager reprimanded Ed Woodward for conversing with the television presenter.
The Match of the Day host shared that Mourinho declined to accept a GQ magazine award from him in 2015.
Despite having a generally positive relationship, as evidenced by Mourinho praising Lineker’s Match of the Day coverage through text messages, their estrangement intensified for reasons undisclosed to the former England international.
Speaking to The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker opened up: “I remember when he first came; he had this incredible personality, was really engaging and I thought he was witty and funny. I think the game has beaten him up a little over the years. I did a little documentary with him, he used to text me all the time, he used to text me after Match of the Day, saying, ‘you guys understand it, this is great.’ We had been going along like that for two years and then something changed.
“I was asked to present him with the Man of the Year award at the GQ Awards that they do every year. They asked me to present the trophy and I said, ‘yes, I’ll do that for Jose, of course.’ Then, about four days before the event, they got in touch and said, ‘Jose has got in touch and he doesn’t want you to present the trophy to him; he wants someone that’s not in football.’
“I thought, ‘hmmm, that’s a bit odd, but I thought I’ll go along to the event anyway and I went up to Jose and he kind of blanked me. I went, ‘Are we ok? Are we ok, Jose?’ ‘He went, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.’ But he wasn’t okay, and he’s never been OK since.”
Alan Shearer and Micah Richards were bemused to hear the incident and asked what led to the bitterness. Lineker then went on to narrate another awkward encounter at Old Trafford following a Champions League game during Mourinho’s tenure at Manchester United, involving former United chief Ed Woodward.
“I do not know to this day whether it was something I said on Match of the Day; I genuinely have no idea. I interviewed him subsequently and he was very cold,” he said. “I remember doing a Champions League game, which they didn’t do very well in. I went up to the director’s box at Manchester United and I was having a drink with Ed Woodward; he’s a neighbour of mine so I know him really well.
“I’m standing there having a drink and Jose comes up but then he just wandered off. He sent a text to Ed Woodward, ‘why are you talking to him?’ To this day, I don’t know what I did! It is a long time ago that this happened but I don’t know what happened.”
Mourinho is recognised for his outspoken and maverick personality, unafraid to express himself openly. On some occasions, he tends to push the boundaries, and in a recent development, he faced expulsion from the stands twice within a week. These incidents occurred during Roma’s matches against Atalanta in Serie A and Lazio in the Coppa Italia.
Roma is currently experiencing a period of poor form, having won only one match in their last five outings, which places them in the eighth position in the top-flight standings. The challenges are set to continue as they face AC Milan in their upcoming fixture at San Siro on Sunday.
Jude Bellingham has been in impressive goal-scoring form for Real Madrid, leading Gary Lineker to envision the versatile 20-year-old taking on a striker role in the future.
Bellingham’s reputation has primarily been built as a midfielder, where he has showcased his work ethic, passing ability, and knack for finding the back of the net while playing in a deep-lying position.
However, he has also displayed his creativity when deployed as a No. 10, and there are suggestions he could move even further up the field in the coming years.
With 11 goals in 12 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions this season, Bellingham is making a strong case to be utilised as a forward.
The Liga giants have occasionally employed him as a ‘false nine,’ and Lineker believes the immensely talented young player can excel in any role he is assigned.
Ex-England striker Lineker has told The Sun ahead of seeing his former club Barcelona take on Bellingham and Madrid in El Clasico on Saturday: “The way he has started at Real gives Gareth Southgate a great option.
“If something happens to Harry Kane, or after he is finished because Harry is now 30, Jude could play at centre-forward, as a false nine, if you like.
“He is now scoring poacher’s goals. He’s even doing the ‘easy’ bits that I used to do! He has been playing as a No. 10 for England in his last few games. He can play in a deeper role as a No. 8; he is probably the most complete English footballer I’ve ever seen and he’s only 20. No one knows what Jude’s best position is because he is so good in several roles but I could see him playing up front for England.”
Bellingham, with 27international caps for the England national team, has managed to score just two goals for his country. As England starts preparing for another opportunity to compete for a major championship next summer at Euro 2024, he will likely aim to increase his goal-scoring record.
The football world was stunned when Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal made an official bid for Paris Saint-Germain’s superstar, Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe and his current club are currently in a contract stand-off, with reports suggesting that he is willing to let his contract run out until next summer.
This situation has put PSG in a difficult position, leading them to contemplate the possibility of selling their prized asset during this transfer window.
Many clubs have expressed interest in signing the Frenchman, but transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Al-Hilal has officially submitted an astounding €300 million [£260m] bid for the 24-year-old, surpassing the previous world record fee set by Neymar at €222m [£191m].
To add to the magnitude of the bid, CBS journalist James Benge reported that Al-Hilal is prepared to offer Mbappe an astonishing salary package of €700 million [£604 million] for just one year.
These reports have caused a flurry of reactions on social media, with fans and pundits alike expressing their astonishment at the potential transfer deal.
Amidst the buzz, 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner, Gary Lineker voiced his opinion, suggesting that should Mbappe make the move to Al-Hilal, it might put his career on hold.
Al-Hilal submit huge bid
In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that Al-Hilal have reportedly submitted a world-record bid to sign wantaway Paris Sain-Germain superstar, Kylian Mbappe.
The France international was left out of the squad for the team’s pre-season tour of Japan on Friday and put up for sale after months of tension between him and the club’s hierarchy.
Al-Hilal have submitted a bid worth €300 million in order to open talks with the Ligue 1 champions.
Mbappe told to leave PSG
Sports Brief also reported thatMbappe has been told to leave the club by former director Leonardo in an absurd tirade.
The World Cup winner recently refuted claims that he wants to join Real Madrid this summer, but the rumour simply refuses to go away.
Leonardo, a former director of the French giants, has now stated that Mbappe should leave the club because PSG will still exist without him.
An internal investigation has discovered that a YouTuber ruined a BBC football broadcast by making pornographic noises while roaming ‘freely’ through a stadium.
According to the corporation, Jarvo was in charge of the security lapse after roaming ‘unchallenged’ across Wolves’ grounds the day before.
In a studio used by Gary Lineker and guests for coverage of the home team’s FA Cup match against Liverpool in January 2023, he smuggled a phone with a pornographic clip as its ringtone.
The broadcaster subsequently carried out an investigation that it tried to keep secret on health and safety grounds, citing the future safety of BBC Sport staff at outside events.
However, after Metro.co.uk challenged the refusal at the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), a heavily redacted version has been released, showing how the prankster and an accomplice ‘moved freely, and unchallenged’ around the Molineux.
While Lineker was left amused, the prank raised serious questions about what might have happened if intruders with more malevolent intentions had gained access to the stadium and led to the BBC making recommendations to tighten security at future events.
The report states: ‘A male gained unauthorized access to the football ground (on the day prior to the football match).
‘He and an accomplice moved freely, and unchallenged, around the inside of the stadium.
‘Purporting to be on an official tour, the two gained access into the BBC studio area (and were not challenged by the 3rd party build team).
‘Whilst out of sight of OB [outside broadcast] staff, one male secreted a mobile telephone inside the MotD studio set. The two then left the ground without anyone knowing there had been a security breach.’
Lineker was interrupted by the embarrassing noises for almost 15 minutes during the build up to the evening game on January 17.
The host, who had been speaking with Alan Shearer, Paul Ince, and Danny Murphy, later tweeted a picture of a small mobile phone.
He said in the caption that ‘we found this taped to the back of the set’ and ‘as sabotage goes it was quite amusing’.
But the presenter later acknowledged that ‘if someone can do that, they can do something else with something that could be more dangerous’.
Safety planning at Premier League grounds has involved work involving counter-terror police to guard against possible threats.
The report found: ‘The mobile phone’s ringtone was an audio clip from a pornographic film. The telephone was dialled — and played the audio — several times during the broadcast.
‘The mobile phone was removed by club officials before the game kicked off. Although no criminal offences were committed, this incident does constitute a breach of security by the stadium.’
Key findings in the report identify Jarvo and an ‘older man’ as having entered the 32,000-capacity stadium ahead of the third round replay.
They were found to have ‘toured several parts of the ground — unchallenged by anyone (BBC contractors or club)’.
Another section reads: ‘The two men were able to move freely around the ground without anyone challenging them.
‘The production team, supported by the security management team at the venue, were able to locate the mobile phone before the football match kicked off, and it was promptly removed from the studio.’
The pair are said in the report to have ‘disappeared out of view of a (freelance) camera operator who was setting up for filming’ and to have left the phone in a part of the set ‘that was out of sight’.
A series of recommendations are then made in a section which is completely blacked out on the grounds that public disclosure might compromise security at future BBC Sport outside events.
Dan ‘Jarvo’ Jarvis, from Gravesend, Kent, said after the incident that ‘we got in because we made it look like we were meant to be there, so no one bats an eyelid’. He even helped himself to a free beer and walked into the home dressing room on the unsanctioned stadium tour.
The practical joker, known as Jarvo69 on YouTube, told The Sun that he used a £20 mobile with the loudest ringtone on the market and ‘had a cheers with the beers’ after strapping it to a wall.
The BBC initially refused to provide the document after a request under the Freedom of Information Act, arguing that a release ‘may lead to the future security of BBC staff being compromised’.
After Metro.co.uk requested an internal review, the broadcaster provided a version of the report that was so heavily blacked out on health and safety and law enforcement grounds only 172 words were visible.
The document was then re-issued by the corporation with further sections unredacted after the challenge to the ICO.
In the latest response, an unnamed member of the BBC’s legal team said: ‘Upon reviewing further published information in the public domain regarding this incident, I have liaised with BBC Sport and the Safety, Security and Risk Management team, and they have agreed to unredact further information from the report.’
The BBC issued an official apology at the time, with a short statement reading: ‘We apologise to any viewers offended during the live coverage of the football this evening. We are investigating how this happened.’
A spokesperson for the BBC said today: ‘We don’t comment on anything relating to security issues.’
Richard Sharp‘s departure and the government’s role in selecting the BBC chairman have both been addressed by Gary Lineker.
The 62-year-old Match Of The Day host, who was fired by the network last month after sending out a tweet that prompted an argument about objectivity, has commented on Sharp’s dismissal.
He wrote on Twitter: “The current government should not choose the BBC chairman. Not now and never.
Following the row over the football pundit’s tweet, the BBC to launched an independent review of its social media guidance for freelancers.
Meanwhile, Lineker later returned to his Match Of The Day presenting role following a boycott in his defence by top on-air talent.
Sharp announced his resignation to ‘prioritise the interests’ of the BBC, while the former Goldman Sachs banker had faced accusations of arranging a loan of up to £800,000 for Boris Johnson before the then-prime minister backed him as the broadcaster’s boss.
He was announced as the government’s choice for the role in January 2021.
This morning, Adam Heppinstall KC’s 25-page report into the appointment of Mr Sharp as BBC Chairman found he ‘failed to disclose potential perceived conflicts of interest’.
In response, Mr Sharp said he will remain in the role until the end of June while the search for a successor takes place.
He said: ‘Mr Heppinstall’s view is that while I did breach the governance code for public appointments, he states that a breach does not necessarily invalidate an appointment.
‘Indeed, I have always maintained the breach was inadvertent and not material, which the facts he lays out substantiate. The Secretary of State has consulted with the BBC Board who support that view.
‘Nevertheless, I have decided that it is right to prioritise the interests of the BBC.’
A committee previously found that Sharp had made ‘significant errors of judgement’ and had not given the ‘full facts’ when applying for the job.
In a grilling by MPs, he had insisted his only role was as a ‘sort of introduction agency’ between his friend Sam Blyth – a Canadian businessman who is a distant cousin of Johnson – and the cabinet secretary Simon Case.
Labour had called for an investigation into Mr Sharp after allegations surfaced in The Sunday Times which claimed a dinner was held at Chequers before the loan was finalised.
Despite complaints from viewers who called it “extreme,” the BBC is standing by its news coverage of the Gary Lineker impartiality controversy.
The company also disclosed that several complainants believed the piece should have “focused more on the Illegal Migration Bill and criticism it has received,” according to a report that was released on Friday.
Lineker, 62, was briefly removed from his role as Match Of The Day host earlier this month after criticizing the government‘s asylum policy on Twitter.
The fiasco was later resolved and he returned to air following a boycott by top talent at the broadcaster, which included pundits and presenters cancelling appearances in solidarity, including the likes of Ian Wright and Alex Scott.
Although BBC coverage of the events sparked fierce criticism, the corporation is defending its output and is standing firm that its reporting was ‘proportionate, fair and duly impartial’.
The corporation believes its coverage of the Lineker fiasco was ‘proportionate, fair and duly impartial’ (Picture: BBC)
A spokesperson said in a statement: ‘The row over Gary Lineker’s social media use, with regards to the BBC Editorial Guidelines, generated high media interest, as well as reaction from politicians from across the political spectrum and sporting personalities; this also caused disruption to the BBC Sport scheduling over the weekend of Mr Lineker’s suspension.
‘This was a story of significance and we legitimately reported on the impact for the BBC and Mr Lineker.’
It continued: ‘However, we continued to report on many other stories of national and international importance, including the cost-of-living crisis and the collapse of US Silicon Valley Bank.’
The BBC went on to stress that it made ‘clear the context’ of the story, explaining the content of Mr Lineker’s tweet, and his criticism of the government’s new asylum policy’.
‘This was primarily a media story, and our coverage focused on the issues highlighted over freedom of speech and BBC impartiality,’ it added.
‘We have separately reported in detail on the government’s Illegal Migration Bill, offering comprehensive scrutiny of the legal, political, and humanitarian implications, and featuring a wide range of views from those both critical and supportive of the proposals.’
Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg on March 12 also received complaints from viewers who felt the programme ‘displayed bias against Gary Lineker’.
In another statement, the BBC argued: ‘Throughout the programme we looked at the issues highlighted by the row over Gary Lineker’s social media use and the BBC Editorial Guidelines in detail, hearing a range of nuanced views, some of which were supportive of Gary Lineker.
‘We discussed this story with our contributors, including an in-depth interview with former Director General of the BBC Mark Thompson; we also heard from television executive Peter Salmon, who has previously worked closely with Mr Lineker.’
The statement concluded: ‘We always invite our audience to share their thoughts with us, and in this context Laura read out the views of a couple of those who had contacted us on this topic.
‘This was one aspect of our overall coverage of this story, during which we offered fair and duly impartial analysis of what this signified for Gary Lineker and the BBC, and the wider political implications.’
On Thursday, the BBC issued an apology after they received complaints from those disappointed with the disruption to the broadcaster’s football schedule during the weekend of turbulence.
Gary Linekar: “I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and I am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD [Match of the Day] chair on Saturday”.
These were Gary Lineker’s words on Twitter when he expressed delight to return as BBC reviewed social media rules for staff.
Gary Lineker is returning to BBC screens this weekend after reaching a deal with the corporation – following an impartiality row in which he criticised the government’s new asylum policy.
Lineker’s next appearance for the BBC will be the coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final clash between Manchester City and Burnley.
The match will kick off on Saturday at 17:45 GMT, with coverage from the Etihad Stadium on BBC One starting at 17:25 GMT.
Gary Lineker was last week taken off air following an impartiality row in which he criticised the government’s new asylum policy.
BBC director general Tim Davie announced on Monday that an independent review will be carried out on social media guidelines.
Lineker said he backed the review and looked forward to getting back on air.
He said the last few days had been “surreal” and thanked people for their “incredible support”.
In a statement, Mr Davie said: “Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences.
Last week, in a tweet, Lineker compared the language used to set out the government’s asylum plan to “that used by Germany in the 30s”.
His words, about the government’s new Illegal Migration Bill, were criticised by Conservative ministers, including the home secretary.
Lineker was told on Friday he had to apologise for his tweets or would beunable to present Match of the Day at the weekend.
When he refused to do so, he was taken off air, triggering an unprecedented wave of walkouts from fellow pundits and commentators.
Weekend football coverage across the BBC was disrupted due to walkouts triggered by Lineker’s suspension.
After announcing he will return to presenting on BBC TV, Lineker tweeted: “However difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away.
“After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming,” he tweeted on Monday morning.
“A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you,” he added.
“We remain a country of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous people. Thank you”
After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming. 1/4 — Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) March 13, 2023
‘Abide by the guidelines’
BBC employees are expected to remain impartial on political matters and must follow strict social media guidelines, but there is significant debate about how they should apply to staff outside of news.
Lineker said he backed the independent social media review which Davie said will have a “particular focus” on how the guidelines apply to freelancers outside news and current affairs.
“Shortly, the BBC will announce who will conduct that review,” Davie said.
“Between now and when the review reports Gary will abide by the editorial guidelines, that’s where we are.”
Former controller of BBC editorial policy Richard Ayre said rewriting guidelines was not straightforward and was “going to be a nightmare”.
Mr Ayre said: “Whatever emerges will be unsatisfactory to a significant number of people. It’s inevitable.
“It’s not remotely a problem solved. It’s a problem shelved for the time being.”
Lineker is expected to return to host Match of the Day’s live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley on Saturday evening.
He is then set to front Sunday’s live coverage of Grimsby Town at Brighton & Hove Albion on BBC One.
Davie added: “Gary is a valued part of the BBC and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to him presenting our coverage this coming weekend.”
The BBC Board has welcomed the agreement with Lineker following the weekend of disruption.
In a statement the board said: “We believe this is the right time to look at the clarity of the BBC’s social media guidance and how it is applied.
“We will support the executive in its continuing work to ensure the organisation delivers world-class, impartial content for all audiences.”
Taking Lineker off air backfired horribly – ex-BBC executive
Former head of BBC Sport and BBC TV News Roger Mosey has spoken out, describing the Lineker row as having “backfired horribly” on the BBC’s senior management.
Mosey tells Adrian Chiles on Radio 5 Live that he has sympathy for the corporation’s leaders in trying to ensure impartiality, but asking the Match of the Day presenter to “step aside was a very big move” and “unwise”.
He adds that while many current and former BBC executives shared the view that Lineker’s Tweet comparing the government’s asylum policies to 1930s Germany was “against the guidelines”, his comment’s “weren’t something you would normally take someone off air for”.
Mosey says the problem with the situation was that it “looked like the BBC was giving into the government and Tory MPs” and therefore making the situation worse – even if this wasn’t why Lineker was taken off air.
“The problem is that if you get every BBC presenter, whether they’re news or not tweeting anything that comes into their head, in that case, you can see why there might be a problem about impartiality. That’s why it’s better if presenters are not getting stuck into current political issues.” from Roger Mosey Former head of BBC Sport
“The problem is that if you get every BBC presenter, whether they’re news or not tweeting anything that comes into their head, in that case, you can see why there might be a problem about impartiality. That’s why it’s better if presenters are not getting stuck into current political issues.”
The deal to get Gary Lineker back on air is a “problem shelved for the time being” rather than a long-term solution, says Richard Ayre, who was once the controller of BBC editorial policy.
Ayre who was part of the former BBC Trust until 2016, tells BBC News that he’s surprised by the agreement, adding that it looks like the corporation has backed down without Lineker “having apparently given any ground” other than welcoming the review into its social media guidelines.
“So it’s bound to look as though it’s the BBC that’s moved rather than both parties moving, which doesn’t bode very well for a long term settlement.”
Asked if the deal was a resolution or just kicking the can down the road, he says the situation is “not remotely a problem solved”.
“Gary will continue to hold his views. He says he will continue to abide by the BBC’s guidelines until they’re rewritten. But then, he was supposed to be abiding by the BBC guidelines last week when he tweeted what he tweeted. So watch this space, this story has a long way to run.
As per report, Gary Lineker is defying demands that he retract his comparison of the government’s new immigration policy to Nazi Germany.
The 62-year-old Match Of The Day host criticized the Home Office’s recently unveiled, divisive proposals to prevent migrant boats transporting illegal immigrants from entering the UK.
This is beyond bad, he wrote. Good gods.
“There is no significant influx. We accept significantly fewer refugees than most other major European nations.
‘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?’
Following the remarks, it was reported that the BBC would speak to the pundit and ‘remind him of his responsibilities on social media.’
Lineker is reportedly ignoring calls from the BBC (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Home Sec blasts Gary Lineker for comparing her migrant law to Nazi Germany
However, the former footballer has been resisting the Line of Duty broadcaster’s approaches and has not yet had a conversation with the corporation’s bosses, according to The i.
The publication also reports that Lineker is not backing down and will not remove the tweet.
The BBC previously said: ‘The BBC has social media guidance, which is published. Individuals who work for us are aware of their responsibilities relating to social media.
Lineker’s tweet did not go down well with the Tory government (Picture: Twitter)
‘We have appropriate internal processes in place if required.’
Lineker’s remarks, which were in response to a Twitter video put out by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, have been slammed by Tory politicians.
Conservative party deputy chairman Lee Anderson, who previously famously claimed people could cook ‘nutritious 30p meals’, wrote: ‘This is just another example of how out of touch these overpaid stars are with the voting public.
‘Instead of lecturing, Mr Lineker should stick to reading out the football scores and flogging crisps.’
Lineker was clearly appalled by the government’s new polic
Lineker was previously found to have broken the corporation’s impartiality rules last year with a tweet about Liz Truss and the Conservative Party.
He shared a tweet with his followers in February 2022 after the then-Foreign Secretary Liz Truss urged people to boycott the Champions League final in Russia.
Lineker had asked his followers at the time: ‘And her party will hand back their donations from Russian donors?’
His tweet was investigated by the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit (ECU) which upheld a complaint and said the post ‘did not meet the BBC’s editorial standards on impartiality’.
It added that while Lineker, who is freelance, is not required to uphold the same high standards of impartiality as the broadcaster’s journalists, he does have an ‘additional responsibility’ as he is considered ‘one of the BBC’s highest profile stars’.
