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What did Gary Lineker tweet?

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GARY LINEKER was absent from presenting Match of the Day on Saturday night, along with pundits and commentators.

The BBC has suspended Lineker from his Match of the Day presenting duties, following a tweet it deemed to be in breach of its guidelines.

Gary Lineker has been pulled from Match Of The Day
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Gary Lineker has been pulled from Match Of The DayCredit: Alamy
Lineker has presented Match of the Day since 1999
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Lineker has presented Match of the Day since 1999Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

In a statement, the BBC said it has "decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we've got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media."

The Sun has exclusively revealed on Monday that the presenter will be back behind the microphone for the BBC's live coverage of the FA Cup next Saturday, after tense talks.

What did Gary Lineker tweet?

Lineker took to  to hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans migrants who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain.

He tweeted: "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?"

What have Ian Wright and Alan Shearer said?

Lineker's co-hosts on Match of The Day, Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have also stepped back from the show in a sign of solidarity to Lineker.

Wright tweeted: "Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity."

Ian Wright will not be appearing on the show in a sign of solidarity
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Ian Wright will not be appearing on the show in a sign of solidarityCredit: PA

This was shortly followed by co-star Alan Shearer who said: "I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night."

Alex Scott, Jermaine Jenas, Micah Richards and Mark Chapman have also all shown support for Lineker, meaning Match of the Day went ahead without a presenter, pundits or commentary on the broadcast.

Politicians have lined up to slam Mr Lineker, who is on a taxpayer-funded salary of £1,350,000.

It comes after Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer warned: "The BBC has a ten-point plan in relation to impartiality.

"It is absolutely important that it maintains impartiality so that the public retains trust in it."

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