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Gary Lineker latest news: Pundit to return to screens for FA Cup quarter-final

Lineker will return to Match of the Day tonight - JAMIE LORRIMAN
Lineker will return to Match of the Day tonight - JAMIE LORRIMAN

Gary Lineker will return to TV screens this afternoon to present live coverage of the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley.

It will mark the 62-year-old broadcaster's first appearance on the BBC since he was told to step back from hosting Match Of The Day in a row over impartiality.

Lineker was taken off air last week for a tweet saying that the language of the Home Office’s policy on migrants was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".

However, on Saturday afternoon he will present live BBC coverage once again, with analysis from Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, while Mark Chapman is due to host the Match Of The Day highlights show later on Saturday night.

Many of Lineker's BBC Sport colleagues walked out in "solidarity" last weekend, with highlight shows significantly shorter than usual and aired without presentation or commentary.

Announcing that the BBC and Lineker had reached a resolution early this week, BBC director-general Tim Davie said: “Everyone recognises this has been a difficult period for staff, contributors, presenters and, most importantly, our audiences. I apologise for this.

“The potential confusion caused by the grey areas of the BBC’s social media guidance that was introduced in 2020 is recognised. I want to get matters resolved and our sport content back on air.”