Gary Lineker is set to return to host Match of the Day after the BBC back-tracked on its Twitter row with the presenter.
The broadcaster is reported to be reviewing its guidelines on the use of social media.
In turn, it’s said Lineker will be more circumspect about the content of his tweets.
Also, he might make some sort of apology.
Lineker will be back in the presenter’s seat this weekend for the next round of the FA Cup.
BBC bosses now face criticism of their handling of the controversy.
Lineker irked politicians after likening the Government’s migration police to Nazi Germany in the 30s.
Director General Tim Davie introduced social media guidelines in 2020.
It included a special “Lineker Clause” that presenters with a particularly high profile had an added responsibility to avoid taking sides on party political issues.
A BBC insider said:
“Both sides have been working on something that will satisfy the BBC’s concerns and allow Gary back on air.
“Things are going in the right direction.”
However, David Jones, a former Cabinet minister, said:
“Davie knows Lineker behaved badly.
“He simply hasn’t the authority to deal with him robustly.”
A review will consider if sports and entertainment presenters should be held to the same standards as BBC journalists.
Lineker – the BBC’s highest paid presenter on £1.3 million a year – reacted strongly to the Home Secretary’s proposal to limit migration.
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.”
The BBC responded by taking Lineker off-air.
That led to a show of solidarity by fellow presenters and football pundits – leaving the BBC football coverage in a tatters.
A 20 minutes’ highlights with no studio, no commentary, and no analysis was broadcast.
Ironically, MotD attracted an extra 500,000 viewers.
