Lineker set to return to BBC for FA Cup and MOTD after breakthrough

Gary Lineker will be returning to present on the BBC next weekend, according to reports. The England legend is hopeful a resolution will be found in the next 24 hours.

Lineker was told to step back by the BBC on Friday following comments made about the government’s asylum policy, where he compared it to 1930s Germany. That led to a huge backlash where fellow presenters, pundits and commentators refused to work this weekend in a show of solidarity with the former striker.

Match of the Day was reduced to just 20 minutes on Saturday evening without any analysis or commentary. Programmes such as Football Focus, Final Score and 606 were cancelled amid the ongoing saga.

Tim Davie, the BBC Director General, has maintained throughout he wanted to find a resolution with Lineker, despite the latter resisting urges to apologise for his tweet. And it appears that is now getting closer to being announced.

Sky News says sources close to Lineker hope a solution will be found in the next 24 hours. There could be a statement on the issue released as early as Monday morning.

Meanwhile, The Sun claims a deal has been struck which will see Lineker present the FA Cup coverage next weekend. The BBC will be showing two of the competition’s quarter-finals.

Manchester City host Championship side Burnley on BBC One at 5.45pm on Saturday. Brighton then play at home to League Two side Grimsby on Sunday at 2.15pm.

Lineker spent much of Saturday watching his former club Leicester play against Chelsea in the Premier League. He dodged questions from the media when approached outside his south-west London home.

He again refused to talk to the gathered press on Sunday morning. The 62-year-old left the house to walk his dog but commented: “I can’t say anything.”

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