The BBC have responded to the latest Gary Lineker controversy by insisting on-screen presenters and contributors are 'regularly reminded of the guidelines in relation to clothing'.
Lineker presented England's 1-0 win over Serbia on Sunday night, with Jude Bellingham bagging the only goal of the game in the 13th minute.
The BBC presenter appeared to be dressed in a T-shirt and jacket from the Next range he endorses as Gareth Southgate's side got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a winning start.
He wore a pale green knitted T-shirt before proceeding to add a safe green jacket at half time.
The BBC have responded to the latest Gary Lineker controversy by insisting on-screen presenters and contributors are 'regularly reminded of the guidelines in relation to clothing'
BBC
Both items are seemingly from Next's clothing range. The T-shirt sells for £16 while the jacket is priced at £55.
The BBC have insisted it will not comment on individuals, despite the backlash to Lineker's attire.
Yet in a statement to PA, they've insisted presenters and contributors are 'regularly reminded of the guidelines in relation to clothing'.
“Presenters/contributors provide their own wardrobe and all presenters/contributors are regularly reminded of the guidelines in relation to clothing, even if they are not doing proactive promotional work," they said.
When it comes to BBC guidelines on conflicts of interest, the rules state: “Presenters or other individuals must not appear on-air wearing clothing or using products or services which they have agreed/been contracted to promote, advertise or endorse or in which they have a specific financial interest.”
Lineker has remained on-air in the short time since.
However, according to The Times, BBC staff are furious and believe the broadcaster is 'turning a blind eye'.
An insider is quoted as saying: "Staff are really resentful at how much he is protected.
"He literally has carte blanche. The BBC response is to turn a blind eye.
"They won't even say whether they will speak to him."
Gary Lineker appeared to wear his own Next T-shirt while working for the BBC during England's narrow win over Serbia
NEXT
Lineker is expected to present England's upcoming clash with Denmark, with the two sides set to lock horns on Thursday (5pm).
And the BBC presenter has questioned Southgate's decision to hook Trent Alexander-Arnold against Serbia on Sunday, insisting bringing on Conor Gallagher was the wrong decision.
"The one thing they weren’t doing was keeping the ball and suddenly you brought on a player who is less likely to keep the ball [Gallagher] which is odd," he said.
"But he [Gareth] said in his interview after that game, 'I needed protection, I needed the legs', but I disagree with him.
"I think we needed someone to actually calm down.
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"[Jarrod] Bowen is an obvious change for [Bukayo] Saka, there’s no real change there. Saka is obviously a better overall player and I thought Saka played really well."
Phil Foden was flat for England, with the Manchester City star deployed on the wing.
And Lineker believes Southgate has an 'interesting' dilemma on his hands with Antony Gordon and Eberechi Eze options for the Three Lions in that department as well.
"It will be interesting to see how Gareth manages that situation on the left-hand side because you’ve got an obvious player on the left-hand side with [Anthony] Gordon, [Eberechi] Eze as well. There’s so much talent in that team!" he said.
"It’s a little bit exacerbating when they suddenly get 1-0 in front and it’s a criticism levelled at Gareth a lot about that fact he gets ahead and the team, whether it’s by instructions or whatever, but for some reason we do tend to sit back.
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Gary Lineker has questioned England's decision to take off Trent Alexander-Arnold during their Euro 2024 win over Serbia
PA
"There’s almost a side of the human condition where you want to defend something when you’ve got it, but when your strength is keeping the ball and going forward and being calm, then suddenly sitting back when you can’t get out… it was a strange game."
England beat Denmark 2-1 when they met at Euro 2020 three years ago, with Harry Kane scoring a dramatic late winner from the penalty spot.
