Gary Lineker to be given an AWARD for his political remarks on migrant crisis

Lineker was suspended from presenting Match of the Day in March after he compared the Government’s new proposed approach on Channel migrants to 1930s Germany.

It led to a huge crisis for the BBC and Lineker agreed a deal which allowed him to tweet about refugees and climate change.

The England striker is now set to receive his award which described him as a "staunch advocate for the rights of refugees and migrants".

He will receive his award alongside Palestinian footballer Natali Shaheen.

Lineker will be collecting his accolade for his championing of refugees in a country led by prime minister Giorgia Meloni who has warned of "an invasion" of migrants and refugees.

Earlier this year, she revealed new policies tightening the country's approach to migrants seeking asylum and introducing harsher punishments for people smugglers.

Human rights organisation, Amnesty International has previously called for Lineker to be allowed to speak his mind on refugees.

However, he has received backlash from Tory MPs who urged him to reconsider his position at the BBC.

Craig Mackinlay said: "It is another self-congratulatory fest of one woke group to another woke activist."

While Gareth Johnson said: "Gary Lineker needs to decide if he wants to be a politician or a public broadcaster. He can't do both."

Sir John Hayes, chairman of the common sense group of MPs, added: "This award is a matter of regret, but also rather pathetic.

"Perhaps it is time for Gary to hang up his microphone as he did his boots long ago."

The award is designed to "highlight outstanding contributions to human rights in the field of sport".