Musician Norman Cook - AKA Fatboy Slim - showed his support for Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker during a live on performance in Manchester last night (Friday, March 10). And it's been claimed that Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp could show his solidarity by boycotting the BBC today.
It comes after the face of the BBC football pundit appeared as part of the visual effects used in the DJ’s set at the O2 Victoria Warehouse, in Manchester. Other faces including Prince and Greta Thunberg were included as part of the show. As Lineker’s image appeared behind him, Fatboy Slim turned to applaud the pundit, encouraging the crowd to do the same and prompting cheers.
“Enough respect #ImWithGary,” the DJ said, sharing the video on Twitter. The broadcaster’s son George Lineker retweeted Fatboy Slim’s video, saying “that’s so elite”.
The presenter has become embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum policy with 1930s Germany on Twitter. Earlier on Friday the BBC announced that Lineker would take a break from presenting the highlights programme until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.
Saturday’s Match Of The Day will go ahead without a presenter, pundits and several regular commentators, following the fallout over Gary Lineker’s removal from the BBC show. Former England footballers and MOTD regulars including Alan Shearer and Ian Wright previously announced they would be boycotting the show, in solidarity with Lineker.
Late on Friday evening several of the show’s commentators shared a joint statement online, announcing they would also be stepping down from Saturday’s broadcast. It has also been claimed that footballers plan to boycott the BBC during the traditional post-match interview.
Henry Winter, the chief football writer for The Times, tweeted: "Football's backlash against BBC intensifies over its treatment of GaryLineker. "Many Premier League players keen to show support for ex-pro pundits who step aside from BBC MOTD And PFA will also fully support players who face fines for not completing required broadcast duties."
In the early hours of this morning, former BBC newsreader Emily Maitlis claimed Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp could boycott the BBC after today's lunchtime clash with Bournemouth. She tweeted: "Breaking: Jurgen Klopp #LFC May refuse to comment to BBC #motd later today in solidarity with #lineker. Likely to offer his message through other broadcasters."
An online petition calling for Gary Lineker to be reinstated in his post on Match Of The Day, has reached 100,000 signatures. The petition, organised by The Mirror on Friday, reached its initial target in under 10 hours.
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