GB News sparks Ofcom complaints for 'alternative' MOTD amid Lineker suspension

15 March 2023 , 10:49

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GB News has been hit with hundreds of Ofcom complaints for its 'alternative' spin on the BBC's Match of the Day in the wake of Gary Lineker's suspension.

GB News has been hit with hundreds of Ofcom complaints for its 'alternative' spin on the BBC's Match of the Day in the wake of Gary Lineker's suspension.

The programme, entitled The Alternative Match Of The Day, received over 200 complaints from the broadcasting watchdog.

The 222 complaints were related to comments made on the programme by Patrick Christy about Brighton.

Asked by fellow pundit Mark Dolan for his thoughts on the Leeds v Brighton game, Patrick said: "I am a Manchester United fan so I would quite happily see Leeds go down. As far as I'm concerned Leeds should have probably lost.

"Brighton I have never been to, although I imagine that Gary Lineker would quite like Brighton because it is full of rainbow flags and woke people."

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The complaints related to comments made by Patrick Christy about Brighton. (GB News)

The Alternative Match of the Day was roundly mocked on social media, particularly given that the programme featured no football clips as GB News do not have the rights to air the official match footage.

Instead the GB News team levelled digs at Lineker amid the impartiality row with the BBC, with presenter Patrick calling him 'a rabid lefty' at one point.

Meanwhile, the BBC was forced to air a watered down version of its own Match of the Day amid a mass boycott of presenting duties from Lineker's fellow staff.

The Alternative Match of the Day was roundly mocked on social media (GB News)

Lineker has now confirmed he will return to his Match of the Day presenting hot seat this weekend, thus relieving GB News of airing another segment of their own 'alternative' version.

BBC director general Tim Davie announced an independent review will be carried out on social media guidelines after Lineker was taken off air after tweeted criticism of the government's new asylum policy.

Taking to Twitter after the announcement he would return to air, Lineker wrote: "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. We remain a country of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous people. Thank you."

Rebecca Cook