BBC SPORT AT WAR

++ Huge rift over Linekergate ++ Management attacked in poll over lack of leadership ++ Chief has ‘nothing but regret’

BBC Sport has been hit by infighting and anger over the Gary Lineker Twitter affair.

Lineker was reinstated as Match of the Day host yesterday but insiders revealed that a ‘huge rift’ has ripped through the department. A confidential snap poll seen by this newspaper has also revealed overwhelming contempt for bosses.

Sportsmail understands that furious staff members confronted head of sport Barbara Slater over the way bosses dealt with the saga. And 80 per cent of poll respondents gave senior management zero out of five for the way they handled the situation. There was also open incredulity when Slater claimed bosses ‘could not have seen how it would spiral’ after a host of high- profile pundits refused to work and brought the broadcaster to its knees in the wake of the walkouts that followed Lineker’s suspension.

Criticism of Lineker was also voiced, with Slater asked if he and other pundits were aware of the effect of their actions on rank-and-file staff.