Gary Lineker latest: Sunday shows in chaos as BBC deadlocks Match of the Day presenter

Urgent talks between the BBC and Gary Lineker are ongoing and ongoing, The independent he understands

Senior BBC sources said talks are aimed at getting the Match of the Day presenter back to work this week. If an agreement is reached, the breakthrough will be announced immediately.

BBC director-general Tim Davie has made it clear he wants to see the Match of the Day host back, saying last night: “It’s a success for me to have Gary back on air and together we’re giving audiences that world . -Sports class coverage which, as I say, I’m sorry we couldn’t deliver today.”

The position of BBC chairman is “completely untenable”, Ed Balls said.

The former shadow chancellor said BBC chairman Richard Sharpe’s position had “become completely untenable”, during an interview on Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show.

Balls said that neither BBC director-general Tim Davey nor chancellor Jeremy Hunt were “willing to defend Richard Sharpe’s position”.

“It has been a devastating two days for the BBC,” Mr Balls said.

Former Tory chancellor George Osborne has backed Gary Lineker, criticizing the rhetoric around asylum policy from some in his party.

“I personally think some of the language used on immigration by some Conservatives – not all – is not acceptable,” he told Channel 4’s The Andrew Neil Show.

“I have a lot of sympathy for Tim Davie, the director-general, who is trying to maintain impartiality for the BBC in a partisan age. But it all ended up in a bit of chaos.”

The Women’s Super League game between Chelsea and Manchester United kicked off on BBC Two earlier without a pre-match presentation as the broadcaster’s TV and radio sports schedule continues to be disrupted by Gary Lineker’s impassionedness.

The match is broadcast live along with global feed commentary by football commentator Nigel Adderley.

A follow-up announcer introduced the match, saying: “Live Women’s Super League football now on BBC Two Chelsea v Manchester United.”

Veteran broadcaster Nick Ferrari has pledged his support for Gary Lineker as the former England striker’s row with the BBC continues.

In a tweet this afternoon, the LBC presenter said: “Being a Leicester City fan for over 50 years, I have supported Gary Lineker since 1978. And while I question his interpretation of history, I support him now. The BBC has gone mad.”

The Royal National Institute for the Blind has branded the BBC’s decision not to include commentary on Match Of The Day as “unacceptable” and said the company “must do better”.

The football show aired for just 20 minutes on Saturday without accompanying commentary or expert analysis following a boycott in “solidarity” with former England player Gary Lineker.

In a tweet, the charity added: “The BBC should adhere to basic accessibility standards so that everyone can enjoy their production.”

Before match commentary began on this evening’s two scheduled Premier League games on Radio 5 Live, commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball said: “I want to reiterate what we said before our football coverage yesterday.

“I know you will all appreciate that this is a difficult time for BBC Sport and everyone working in the department, and we hope that everything will be resolved as soon as possible.

“It was a very difficult decision for me to make personally, I can assure you it was not taken lightly, but I am a member of the BBC staff, I am a radio commentator for this station and, like yesterday, we are here to provide you with our football service to you, our audience.”

Gary Lineker’s eldest son took to Twitter to defend his father, saying he should not be pressured to apologize “because he is a good man”.

George Lineker tweeted: “Proud of the old man after a busy few days.

“I don’t need to apologize for being a good person and keeping my word.

“The public response was overwhelming. Thanks for the support.”