Gary Lineker set to receive award in wake of BBC row over Match of the Day
Amnesty International will present Gary Lineker with a "sport and human rights" award at a ceremony in Rome on Wednesday.
The former England international has bagged the prize after questioning the government's use of language towards refugees. Lineker's criticism saw him axed from Match of the Day by the BBC, only for the broadcaster to reinstate him in an embarrassing climb down.
Despite huge pressure from the BBC, Lineker has always stood by his beliefs and will now be awarded for doing so. Amnesty International have described the popular television presenter as a "staunch advocate for the rights of refugees and migrants".
Lineker will receive his prize alongside Palestinian footballer Natali Shaheen. The ex-striker will be the fifth recipient of the prize after basketball star Pietro Aradori, footballer Claudio Marchisio, cyclist Alessandra Cappellotto and football club Pescara Calcio.
Amnesty International have confirmed Lineker will attend the event to collect his gong and give a speech. Conservative MPs have criticised Lineker for accepting the award, with South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay calling it "another self-congratulatory fest".
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Tories were furious with Lineker after he called Suella Braverman's Illegal Migration Bill as "beyond awful" and described the government's language towards refugees as "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the '30s".
Lineker was taken off air by the BBC after his comments (PA)Do you think Gary Lineker deserves this award? Let us know in the comments below!
Some Tories urged the BBC to force Lineker to apologise for his comments or sack him. BBC chiefs responded by taking Lineker off Match of the Day in a sensational move, which brought the broadcaster's impartiality into disrepute.
Several notable BBC employees have criticised political figures in the past without being punished by the BBC. The BBC's director-general is Tim Davie, the former deputy chairman of the Hammersmith and Fulham Conservative Association.
Furthermore, the BBC's outgoing chairman Richard Sharp is a notable Tory donor who helped Boris Johnson secure an £800,000 loan during his time as prime minister.
Lineker's Match of the Day colleagues refused to go on the show, which forced the BBC to broadcast it without punditry, commentary or studio presentation. The BBC responded by reinstating Lineker after more than 210,000 Mirror readers signed a petition.
Davie said: "Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this. The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air."
Davie promised to launch a review into the BBC's impartiality guidelines and described Lineker as a "valued part of the BBC". The ex-footballer added: "I am glad that we have found a way forward. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air."
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