sport news Gary Lineker jokes he has had a 'quiet week' as he pays tribute to friends and ... trends now Gary Lineker jokes he has had a 'quiet week' as he pays tribute to friends and BBC colleagues in first TV appearance since 'disproportionate' row with the broadcaster ahead of his return to presenting Match of The Day Gary Lineker will return to Match of the Day after suspension by BBC last week The 62-year-old says he has had an 'interesting' and also hugely 'gratifying' week Lineker also described support from BBC colleagues and friends as 'beautiful' By Abdi Rashid For Mailonline Published: 20:34 GMT, 17 March 2023 | Updated: 20:38 GMT, 17 March 2023 Viewcomments Gary Lineker has described the past week as 'interesting' and 'gratifying' after resolving his row with the BBC. Lineker will return to present Match of the Day on Saturday after initially being suspended in an impartiality row after anti-Tory tweets equating the Government's crackdown on migrants in small boats to Germany in the 1930s. The suspension resulted in commentators and pundits pulling out from the famous programme, which ran at just 20 minutes with no discussion. Director General Tim Davie, who is facing calls to resign, apologised to BBC staff and presenters and BBC viewers and listeners, whose sporting coverage was decimated this weekend. Lineker has paid tribute to his BBC colleagues and friends for their support before describing the row with BBC as 'disproportionate'. Gary Lineker says he has had an 'interesting' and also hugely 'gratifying' week after BBC row Match of the Day ran at just 20 minutes with no punditry or commentary last Saturday 'Really quiet, nothing much going on.,' Lineker joked when asked how his week has been by Viaplay. 'Yeah, you could say it's been an interesting week but i'm still here, still punching. 'It was interesting and also hugely gratifying. I had an amazing amount of support from my friends and colleagues which was quite beautiful actually. 'It was totally disproportionate the whole thing but we're okay. It is resolved. I'm back to work tomorrow and all is well with the world.' BBC's Davie insisted there will be a review of the broadcaster's impartiality policy in the aftermath of the row, and that Lineker will abide by the guidance while this takes place. In a statement, the Director General 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. 'Impartiality is important to the BBC. It is also important to the public. The BBC has a commitment to impartiality in its Charter and a commitment to freedom of expression. That is a difficult balancing act to get right where people are subject to different contracts and on air positions, and with different audience and social media profiles. 'The BBC's social media guidance is designed to help manage these sometimes difficult challenges and I am aware there is a need to ensure that the guidance is up to this task. It should be clear, proportionate, and appropriate.' BBC director general Tim Davie backed down from the row and asked Lineker to return to TV Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility