Mutiny at the BBC: Lineker row causes growing crisis at UK broadcaster

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Women's International Friendly - England v Canada - bet365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent, Wales, Britain - April 13, 2021 Television presenter Alex Scott before the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain's BBC faced a mounting crisis as a row over football presenter Gary Lineker's criticism of government migration policy led to a presenter mutiny, drew a comment from the prime minister and left the broadcaster's boss defending his position.

The BBC was forced to axe much of its sports coverage on Saturday as presenters refused to work in a show of solidarity with Lineker, after the BBC sought to defend its impartiality by taking him off the air due to his comments on social media.