Gary Lineker presenting Champions League coverage on BT Sport (now TNT Sports) (Image: Getty)
Gary Lineker will be nowhere to be seen when the BBC begins broadcasting Champions League highlights. UEFA's top European club competition has been exclusively behind a paywall in recent years, with TNT Sports/Discovery owning the rights to live action.
This remains unchanged for live games, but terrestrial TV highlights will be available this season after the BBC secured the rights. The first Match of the Day Champions League programme of the season is scheduled for Wednesday night at 10.40pm and will run for one hour and 20 minutes.
However, Lineker, who has been the face of Match of the Day for a quarter of a century, won't be presenting the show, despite being well-versed in Champions League coverage, having hosted live matches during his tenure at BT Sports (now TNT Sports).
Nevertheless, BBC chiefs have selected Gabby Logan to front the programme. As reported by The Telegraph, the BBC did engage in discussions with Lineker about hosting the show, but no formal offer was made.
His packed schedule, which includes the popular The Rest is Football podcast, produced by his own production company, was reportedly a factor. The expectation of additional trips to Salford, where Match of the Day is filmed, from his London home was also said to be an issue.
Lineker's future at the BBC remains uncertain, with the 63-year-old's £1.35million-a-year contract expiring next summer. With the corporation securing a fresh four-year contract to show Premier League highlights until 2029, Lineker's decision on whether he will stay or part ways may need clarification soon.
Gabby Logan is set to host the BBC's Champions League highlights show (Image: Getty)
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The now-former One Show presenter has since apologised to the women involved. He told The Sun: “When it was all unfolding and I knew I was losing my job, I asked HR if I could contact the two women directly and apologise to both of them.
“But because of the legal process, I wasn’t allowed. I didn’t get the opportunity to say sorry to them at that particular point when I really wanted to apologise. I really want to apologise from the bottom of my heart in terms of what I’ve put them through.”
Addressing the women directly, he said: “I’m genuinely sorry for what I’ve done to you. I always thought it was consensual and a two-way thing.”
