Hundreds of complaints have been made to GB News over their ‘alternative’ Match of the Day, which broadcast during Gary Lineker’s ban from the BBC.
When Ian Wright and Alan Shearer declined to present the BBC One broadcast after Lineker was asked to stand down due to his criticism of the Government’s immigration policy, GB News chose to deliver a ‘alternative’ version that did not include any football.
‘We are the people’s channel, and the people need commentary, they need punditry, Match of the Day clocks in at seven million viewers a week, so if the BBC will not service that audience, then GB News with Mark Dolan tonight are delighted to step in,’ Mark Dolan said on Saturday.
‘It’s going to be the Alternative Match of the Day, I am Gary Lineker.
He went on to explain how the show would actually work, considering GB News don’t have the rights to show football: ‘We won’t be able to show live or recorded footage of goals or anything like that. What we will have is top level punditry, so we will have an array of political-free footballers.’
During the programme, co-host Patrick Christys generated outrage after making statements that fans labelled “homophobic” after mocking rainbow flags.
‘Brighton, I’ve never been to,’ Christys remarked of the match between Leeds United and Brighton. And I suppose Gary Lineker would enjoy Brighton, which is full of rainbow flags and awake people.’
‘I believe that’s a reasonable point,’ Dolan responded. ‘The wokeratti who eats tofu!’
The statements prompted 222 complaints to Ofcom, and many fans vented their displeasure on Twitter.
TV critic Scott Bryan wrote: ‘By the way, the “alternative” MOTD on GB News last night criticising Brighton for having “rainbow flags” is homophobia. I can’t spin it any other way.’
‘What the f**k is this TV show and why it allowed to be broadcast. Just spewing hate across the airwaves,’ another added.
After the outpouring of outrage over Lineker’s punishment, the BBC announced that Match of the Day will ‘concentrate on the action without presentation or punditry,’ basically airing just football highlights.
Lineker and the BBC announced this week that he will resume hosting responsibilities, with BBC director-general Tim Patten saying, ‘Gary is a valuable member of the BBC, and I know how much the BBC means to Gary, and I look forward to his presenting our coverage this coming weekend.’
Lineker added: ‘I am glad that we have found a way forward. I support this review and look forward to getting back on air.’
Match of the Day airs Saturdays at 10.30pm on BBC One.
What is Ofcom and what does it cover?
Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.
The watchdog makes sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.
Ofcom deals with most content on television, radio and video-on-demand services, including the BBC. However, if your complaint is about something you saw or heard in a BBC programme, you may need to complain to the BBC first.
Its rules for television and radio programmes are set out in the Broadcasting Code.
The rules in the Broadcasting Code also apply to the BBC iPlayer.
This Broadcasting Code is the rule book that broadcasters have to follow and it covers a number of areas, including; protecting the under-18s, protecting audiences from harmful and/or offensive material and ensuring that news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality.
Audiences can complain to Ofcom if they believe a breach of the Broadcasting Code has been made.
Every time Ofcom receives a complaint from a viewer or listener, they assess it to see if it needs further investigation.
If Ofcom decide to investigate, they will include the case in a list of new investigations, published in the Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin.
An investigation is a formal process which can take some time depending on the complexity of the issues involved.
Ofcom can also launch investigations in the absence of a complaint from a viewer or listener.