Alan Shearer has won praise from fans after issuing a heartfelt apology for the disruption to the BBC's football coverage last weekend. The former England striker, a regular pundit for the broadcaster, addressed viewers before the FA Cup quarter-final between Manchester City and Burnley on Saturday evening.
The apology came as Gary Lineker made his first BBC television appearance since being suspended last week for comparing the government's asylum policy to Nazi Germany. Lineker's suspension led to a boycott by numerous pundits, leaving Match of the Day reduced to a 20-minute highlights show with no commentary or analysis.
Shearer expressed regret over the situation, saying: 'I just need to clear up and wanted to say how upset we were for the audience that missed out last weekend. It was a really difficult situation for everyone concerned and, through no fault of their own, some really great people in TV and radio were put in an impossible situation and that wasn't fair.'
Lineker, who returned alongside Shearer and Micah Richards, echoed the apology, stating: 'Absolutely, I echo those sentiments.' Fans took to social media to commend Shearer, with one writing: 'Well said Alan, spot on! Looking forward to the game now.' Another said: 'Welcome back not the same without you guys.'
