Gary Lineker, former England national team footballer and one of the biggest figures in UK television, will stop presenting the BBC's 'Match of the Day' programme, which he has hosted since 1999, until he reaches an agreement with the public corporation on his use of social media accounts.

Lineker has been at the center of controversy in recent days for his criticism on 'Twitter' of the UK government's plan to deny asylum to illegal migrants arriving in small boats.

The BBC, where he is the highest paid presenter, earning more than one million euros a year for his role, has a strict policy of impartiality on social media for its journalists.

Lineker, who has already been in trouble in the past for his criticism of the UK Conservative Party, described the bill against illegal immigration presented by the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, as "beyond awful" on the social media platform 'Twitter.'

In response to another user, he added that the party's rhetoric was reminiscent of Nazi Germany.

In a statement, the BBC has announced that Lineker's recent activity violates the company's guidelines for social networks and added that "[journalists] should not take sides in partisan issues or political controversies."

Braverman branded Lineker's statements as "irresponsible." In a similar vein, UK Culture Minister, Lucy Frazer, stressed that the BBC must be impartial in order to "maintain the trust of the audience" that subsidizes it.

'Match of the Day' is the UK's most popular football show and the longest running in the world, having been broadcast since August 22, 1964.

Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.

— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) March 10, 2023

Ian Wright will also be absent

The first response to Gary Lineker's exclusion, whether temporary or permanent, has been quick to surface.

Ian Wright, former Arsenal player and contributor to 'Match of the Day' will not appear in the 'BBC' studios either.

"Everyone knows what 'Match of the Day' means to me, but I've already told the BBC that I won't be there tomorrow. Solidarity," Ian Wright wrote on his 'Twitter' account.