BBC commentator explains decision to continue working despite Gary Lineker saga
A BBC commentator has admitted it was a "difficult decision to make" after returning to work for the broadcaster on Sunday.
Alistair Bruce-Ball covered Arsenal's 3-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, with other BBC commentators also returning to work. Most of them were absent 24 hours earlier when Gary Lineker's controversial axe led to a boycott at the BBC.
The likes of Ian Wright and Alan Shearer refused to work for the BBC after Lineker was forced to "step back" from his Match of the Day role for criticising the new Illegal Migration Bill. The popular presenter also questioned the government's rhetoric towards refugees.
Gary Lineker's future remains unresolved (PA)Bruce-Ball felt obliged to explain his stance ahead of Sunday's game. "I want to reiterate what we said ahead of our football coverage yesterday," he explained.
"I know you’ll all appreciate this is a difficult time for BBC Sport and for all those who work in the department and we hope it all gets resolved as soon as possible.
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"It’s been a very difficult decision to make personally, I can assure you it’s not been taken lightly, but I’m a BBC staff member, I’m a radio commentator for this station and just like yesterday we are here to provide our football service to you, our audience."
BBC commentators returned for Sunday's Premier League action (Clive Rose/Getty Images)What's your view on the BBC's crisis? Let us know in the comments below!
Lineker's temporary axe was not well received by his colleagues at the BBC. The boycott of presenters and pundits forced the BBC to broadcast a bizarre 20-minute edition of Match of the Day on Saturday night that featured no analysis or commentary.
The BBC was also forced to scrap Football Focus and Final Score, while their radio coverage was severely hampered. Sunday night's Match of the Day 2 will also last for just 20 minutes, although commentators have agreed to return to their microphones.
It is unclear how this situation will be resolved. The BBC's director general Tim Davie insists he wants Lineker "back on air", but the presenter is refusing to say sorry. Tory MPs, who put pressure on the BBC to axe Lineker, are demanding an apology.
Lineker spent Saturday watching his beloved Leicester lost 3-1 at home to Chelsea. "He's been at Leicester today and he got a really good reaction - there were banners in support of him in the stadium," Lineker's son George told The Mirror on Saturday.
"When he comes home from the Leicester game my brother is cooking him a cottage pie. Then he'll probably go to bed and maybe watch the show in the morning, before we go for a Sunday roast... Dad is a good man, a good human, and I'm proud of him for standing by his word. That's why he was pulled off the show - because he wouldn't apologise.
"But he will always speak up for people who don't have a voice. He is passionate about helping refugee charities... Will he go back to Match of the Day? I think so - he loves Match of the Day. But he won't ever back down on his word."
The Mirror has launched a petition to have Gary Lineker reinstated at the BBC and as the host of Match of the Day. Sign it here.
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