Gary Lineker Faces Backlash for Alleged Breach of BBC Election Guidelines with Anti-Israel

[Social Media]

 

Gary Lineker, has found himself at the center of yet another controversy following a social media post that condemned Israel's actions in Gaza. This incident has sparked significant backlash, with critics accusing Lineker of violating the BBC’s stringent social media guidelines, particularly given the sensitive timing during the UK election period.

 

The controversy erupted when Lineker shared a post from author James Felton on the social media platform X. Felton's post, made in response to the rescue of four Israeli hostages in central Gaza, included a report accusing Israel of a "massacre" at the Nuseirat refugee camp. Felton wrote, "What kind of f***ed up species can’t look at endless scenes like this and collectively agree what Israel is doing is abhorrent." Lineker shared this post without adding any personal comment.

 

The move quickly provoked a strong reaction. Former Labour minister Lord Austin of Dudley expressed his dismay on the platform, stating, "Four hostages released and this is what Lineker posts. Unbelievable." Although Lineker subsequently deleted the repost, the original tweet remained visible in his Likes column, further fueling the controversy.

 

Lineker, it appears, interpreted the "f***ed up species" phrase as a reference to humanity in general rather than any specific national group. However, to avoid further misinterpretation, he chose to remove the repost while leaving the Like intact. This decision did little to quell the criticism, with a BBC staffer noting, "This repost looks like a clear breach but Gary knows the BBC won’t dare take him off air just before the Euros."

 

The BBC’s social media guidelines, which were revised after a previous incident involving Lineker, permit non-news figures like him more leeway to express political views. However, these guidelines impose stricter rules during election periods, particularly for flagship presenters. These rules stipulate that such presenters must avoid commenting on any issue that is a matter of political debate during the election period.

 

Danny Cohen, a former BBC director of television, was vocal in his criticism. "Gary Lineker has clearly broken the BBC’s strict election guidelines which prevent the corporation’s flagship presenters from expressing opinions on politically contentious subjects during the campaign," Cohen told the i newspaper. He also questioned why Lineker would support a message referring to people with differing views as a "f***ed up species," calling it "very disturbing." Cohen, who has previously accused the BBC of "anti-Israel bias," added, "The BBC’s senior leadership has proven itself unable to control Mr. Lineker. Few in the Jewish community will expect this to change anytime soon."

 

Leo Pearlman, a leading TV producer, echoed Cohen’s sentiments. "Mr. Lineker, in reference to the rescue of four of the Hamas hostages, retweeted the phrase ‘f***ed up species’ in relation to Israel," he said. "Lineker, the highest paid and highest profile BBC presenter, on the eve of the European Championships, continues to take advantage of his bosses’ cowardice."

 

The BBC, approached for comment, did not formally reprimand Lineker but indicated that they "do have conversations with individuals as required." This was not the first time Lineker faced calls for discipline over his social media activity. Previously, he had retweeted an article that called for Israel to be banned from international football tournaments, a post he later deleted.

 

This latest controversy adds to a series of incidents where Lineker's outspoken nature on social media has clashed with the BBC's guidelines. Earlier in the year, when asked if he would adhere to the stricter social media guidelines during election periods, Lineker confidently replied, "I know the guidelines really, really well. I was partly involved in drawing them up."

 

Despite the controversy, Lineker is set to front the BBC’s coverage of Euro 2024, which begins shortly. Given his history of making politically charged comments, Tory sources have indicated that Lineker will be "watched like a hawk" during the tournament, particularly since it coincides with the final three weeks of the UK election campaign.

 

Home Secretary James Cleverly was also critical of Lineker, likening him to a "spoiled child" and a "showman" seeking attention. In an interview with LBC's Andrew Marr, Cleverly dismissed Lineker's comments regarding the D-Day commemorations as "nonsense," stating, "The Prime Minister was at D-Day celebrations over two days. A day in the UK and a day over in Normandy, he met British veterans, spent a huge amount of time with British veterans." He continued, "He said he was wrong to leave that final event, that world leaders’ event, and he has apologized."

 

Cleverly was firm in his stance against Lineker's inclusion in the Conservative Party, despite suggestions from some quarters. "Nigel's made it clear he wants to destroy the Conservative Party and I don’t embrace people that want to destroy my party and hurt the British people," he said, in response to Suella Braverman’s call for Nigel Farage to join the Tories.

 

Earlier in the week, Farage himself had commented on the matter, expressing admiration for Braverman but rejecting the notion of joining the Conservatives "at the moment." Speculation remains that if Farage, currently leading the Reform party, were elected to represent Clacton-on-Sea, he might eventually defect to the Tories depending on the party's future direction.

 

Credit: Inews 2024-06-12

 

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[JonnyF]

Lineker should have been removed a long time ago. He also referred to the October 7 attacks as "that Hamas thing" in an attempt to downplay what started the recent round of conflict.

 

Of course, he is perfectly aligned with the BBC's left wing bias so he is allowed to continue earning millions every year from money extorted from the British public under threat of court proceedings, bailiffs breaking into your home etc.

 

A true #bekind socialist if ever there was one. 😃

 

 

[herfiehandbag]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

"This repost looks like a clear breach but Gary knows the BBC won’t dare take him off air just before the Euros."

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the nub of the matter, and why Linnaker is free to advance his views.

 

He is making a mockery of the BBC rules, and knows he will get away with it; in the argot of the football terraces,  he is "taking the piss"!

[JonnyF]

21 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the nub of the matter, and why Linnaker is free to advance his views.

 

He is making a mockery of the BBC rules, and knows he will get away with it; in the argot of the football terraces,  he is "taking the piss"!

 

Plus the bigwigs at the BBC agree with everything he says. 

 

I can just imagine being him disciplined. "Look Gary dear, of course you're absolutely right and we all know you're right, but we have to appear to be impartial. Now, back to your 30% pay increase...". 

[brewsterbudgen]

Good on Gary.  One positive result of a new Labour government will be less foaming-at-the-mouth outrage from the BBC haters.

[retarius]

Three cheers for Gary Lineker. Best football commentator by a mile and with a  functioning moral compass into the bargaining. The BBC doesn't get better than Gary Lineker. Great footballer too. 

[Smokey and the Bandit]

1 hour ago, retarius said:

Three cheers for Gary Lineker. Best football commentator by a mile and with a  functioning moral compass into the bargaining. The BBC doesn't get better than Gary Lineker. Great footballer too. 

Love the sarcasm...good one!

[Nick Carter icp]

2 hours ago, retarius said:

Three cheers for Gary Lineker. Best football commentator by a mile and with a  functioning moral compass into the bargaining. The BBC doesn't get better than Gary Lineker. Great footballer too. 

 

   Gary Lineker isn't a "commentator" , he present programmes , rather than commentating 

 

[Social Media]

An inflamatory post has been removed contravening community standards

[JonnyF]

3 hours ago, retarius said:

Three cheers for Gary Lineker. Best football commentator by a mile

 

He's a presenter not a commentator.

 

3 hours ago, retarius said:

and with a  functioning moral compass into the bargaining.

 

Except when he dismisses the October 7 attacks as "that Hamas thing".

 

3 hours ago, retarius said:

 

The BBC doesn't get better than Gary Lineker.

 

Therein lies the problem. 

 

3 hours ago, retarius said:

 

 

Great footballer too. 

 

Goal hanger. 

[brewsterbudgen]

3 hours ago, retarius said:

Three cheers for Gary Lineker. Best football commentator by a mile and with a  functioning moral compass into the bargaining. The BBC doesn't get better than Gary Lineker. Great footballer too. 

Well said, although as has been pointed out, he's not a commentator but a presenter.  His 'The Rest is Football' is a superb podcast too.

Edited June 12 by brewsterbudgen

[Thingamabob]

Credit to Lineker for figuring out the way to make big bucks, and to promote his other interests, out of a relationship with the BBC. Smart.

[Bangkok Barry]

 

The post in question referred to species, not a country. But Israel is the worlds' only officially-sanctioned terrorist state, and the massive loss of life in Gaza, in retaliation for loss of face when Hamas made a mockery of the self-styled invincible defense force of Israel, would have been roundly condemned by every nation on Earth if it had been carried out by anyone else. Instead, 'red lines' are repeatedly re-drawn to allow Israel to kill 274 people (including three Israeli hostages which Israel forgot to mention during their pat-ourselves-on-the-head celebrations) as they rescued four hostages.

 

As for Lineker, he should be free to give his views in the same way that anyone else is who doesn't live in a dictatorship. Who he works for has absolutely nothing to do with his views on anything or anyone.

 

Edited June 12 by Bangkok Barry

[Purdey]

So, Lineker didn't post his own thoughts yet the BBC doesn't like what he retweeted from someone else. The original tweeter receives no criticism but his tweet is used to accuse Lineker of having bad thoughts. Very confusing.

[transam]

The bloke should be put out to graze on the same stuff he started out on.

He is also an embarrassing tool, taking the p_ss out of the BBC...........

[Keeps]

Lineker is a complete and utter prick who is also delusional in thinking anyone has the slightest interest in his views.

 

Great when he played for Tottenham though....555

[Nick Carter icp]

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

, 'red lines' are repeatedly re-drawn to allow Israel to kill 274 people (including three Israeli hostages which Israel forgot to mention during their pat-ourselves-on-the-head celebrations) as they rescued four hostages.

 

 

   That quite probably isn't true though , its very likely to be just another lie by Hamas that Israel killed three hostages 

[Jaggg88]

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

An inflamatory post has been removed contravening community standards

Lineker wouldn't last long on here then 🤣

[CG1 Blue]

2 hours ago, Bangkok Barry said:

As for Lineker, he should be free to give his views in the same way that anyone else is who doesn't live in a dictatorship. Who he works for has absolutely nothing to do with his views on anything or anyone.

Not true. Lineker works for the 'State' broadcaster which is paid for by the British public. For this reason, while he remains a sports presenter, he must remain impartial on political matters. 

 

He has a choice. Stay in football and keep his champagne socialist trap shut, or move into political broadcasting. 

 

But as a political broadcaster he'd be in the non-league category, and wouldn't be able to earn the millions he gets from staying in football and breaking the state broadcaster rules. 

[Bangkok Barry]

44 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   That quite probably isn't true though , its very likely to be just another lie by Hamas that Israel killed three hostages 

It's also quite probably true, as the 'targeted attack' managed to kill 270 more than the number rescued. Or was that made up, too?

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

It's also quite probably true, as the 'targeted attack' managed to kill 270 more than the number rescued. Or was that made up, too?

 

   Yes, a great days work by the IDF 

[brewsterbudgen]

36 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

Not true. Lineker works for the 'State' broadcaster which is paid for by the British public. For this reason, while he remains a sports presenter, he must remain impartial on political matters. 

 

He has a choice. Stay in football and keep his champagne socialist trap shut, or move into political broadcasting. 

 

But as a political broadcaster he'd be in the non-league category, and wouldn't be able to earn the millions he gets from staying in football and breaking the state broadcaster rules. 

 

After the last nonsense, he's well aware of what he's allowed to post about and what he's not.  And as a sports broadcaster he certainly does not have to be impartial about politics.  Some things are more important.  

[Bangkok Barry]

36 minutes ago, CG1 Blue said:

Not true. Lineker works for the 'State' broadcaster which is paid for by the British public. For this reason, while he remains a sports presenter, he must remain impartial on political matters. 

 

He has a choice. Stay in football and keep his champagne socialist trap shut, or move into political broadcasting. 

 

But as a political broadcaster he'd be in the non-league category, and wouldn't be able to earn the millions he gets from staying in football and breaking the state broadcaster rules. 

 

So state broadcasters can't have a voice in a democratic country? That's an interesting point of view. He isn't an employee either, and they could always not renew his freelance contract. The fact that they haven't cancelled his contract indicates where their priorities really lay. To condemn him and still employ him is the height of hypocrisy.

[Bangkok Barry]

4 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Yes, a great days work by the IDF 

 

Okay, if you support the killing of 270 citizens, of anybody, I suppose I'll have to block you.

[Nick Carter icp]

1 minute ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

Okay, if you support the killing of 270 citizens, of anybody, I suppose I'll have to block you.

 

   Those were the mainly people guarding the hostages , Hamas members .

  The people guarding the hostages needed to be killed immediately 

[Bangkok Barry]

20 minutes ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

   Those were the mainly people guarding the hostages , Hamas members .

  The people guarding the hostages needed to be killed immediately 

 

270 to guard seven hostages. Do you not realise how ridiculous that claim is?

[Nick Carter icp]

2 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

270 to guard seven hostages. Do you not realise how ridiculous that claim is?

 

   There were just four hostages , there was gun fire coming from all around , from the surrounding buildings , Israel bombed those buildings to stop the gun fire 

[JonnyF]

On 6/12/2024 at 9:48 AM, brewsterbudgen said:

Good on Gary.  One positive result of a new Labour government will be less foaming-at-the-mouth outrage from the BBC haters.

 

Why? Are Labour going to make criticism of the state funded broadcaster leftist propaganda machine the BBC a hate crime? 

 

Wouldn't surprise me actually. 

[RuamRudy]

17 hours ago, Keeps said:

Lineker is a complete and utter prick who is also delusional in thinking anyone has the slightest interest in his views.

 

Great when he played for Tottenham though....555

 

Have you seen the self-righteous frothing at the mouth he generates on these boards and in pretend newspapers like the Express and Mail whenever he comments on politics? Clearly there is a lot of interest in his views. 

[retarius]

• Thank god for people like Lineker in our establishment. The rest look on genocide from Israel and shrug their shoulders afraid of being called anti-semitic. Gary is afraid. Keep up the good work Gary.