Talks continuing to resolve row between Lineker and BBC

Talks are continuing to try to resolve the row between football presenter Gary Lineker and the BBC that has led to a boycott by sports presenters and disruption to football coverage across BBC television and radio.

Mr Lineker was suspended from the station's flagship football programme Match of the Day after he criticised the British government's asylum policy on Twitter.

In the tweet, Mr Lineker compared the language used to launch a new government asylum seeker policy with 1930s Germany.

The BBC director-general has apologised for the disruption caused to the broadcaster's sports programming, but confirmed he will not resign over the incident.

Speaking to BBC News yesterday, Mr Davie praised Mr Linker as "the best in the business" and that he feels everyone wants to see a "reasonable solution" to the impartiality row.

The broadcaster previously said it had "decided" the former England player would take a break from presenting the football highlights show until an "agreed and clear position" on his use of social media had been reached.

Speaking to BBC News in Washington, DC, Mr Davie said: "I'm very sorry for the disruption today. It's been a difficult day and I'm sorry that audiences have been affected and they haven't got the programming.

"As a keen sports fan, I know like everyone that to miss programming is a real blow and I am sorry about that.

"We are working very hard to resolve the situation and make sure that we get output back on air."

Asked whether he thinks he should reign, he added: "Absolutely not, I think my job is to serve licence fee payers and deliver a BBC that is really focused on world-class, impartial landmark output - and I look forward to resolving this situation and looking forward to delivering that."