Tim Davie under pressure to resign after being accused of rolling over for Gary Lineker

There is mounting pressure for Tim Davie, director-general of the BBC, to resign after he was accused of backing down to Gary Lineker, who will continue tweeting about politics despite his posts causing a split between staff and management at the corporation.

The controversy over Lineker’s Nazi slur has sparked a battle between staff and management, with some workers having “zero confidence” in bosses.

The issue has caused some critics to claim that it will be the end of the license fee and that Davie’s tenure has failed to get a grip on impartiality.

There is also anger towards Lineker, who has had enough warnings, according to a BBC staffer.

The BBC has commissioned an independent review of its social media guidelines, particularly for freelancers, but it could take months.

Some staff are also angered by a perceived inconsistency, as some social media accounts are closely monitored by BBC officials, with some reprimanded if they as much as “like” a political view on Twitter.

Some have pointed out the lack of clarity on impartiality and criticised the management’s handling of the situation.

There is said to be a huge rift in the BBC Sport department, with some outraged by the way the debacle played out.

Sportsmail understands that furious staff members confronted director of sport Barbara Slater over the situation at a series of highly uncomfortable meetings.

A snap poll seen by Sportsmail reveals overwhelming contempt for bosses, with 80% of respondents rating senior management zero out of five for the way they handled the situation.

BBC stars have taken the corporation’s decision to allow Lineker to return as a “victory” and a sign that management is now weakened.

An employee said: “The BBC blinked first. You can feel the power draining away.”

Lee Anderson, deputy chairman of the Conservatives, has described the BBC as “spineless” over its handling of the issue.

Davie suspended Lineker after he compared Government language on asylum seekers to Germany in the 1930s.

That triggered a boycott by top names, including Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, and Mark Chapman.

Radio 5 Live programmes were also scrapped, including the 606 phone-ins and build-up to Saturday and Sunday matches.

Commentators were subjected to online abuse, with some branding them “scabs”.

On Monday, Davie said sorry to those impacted, announcing a review on social media guidelines.

Lineker will be back for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final between Burnley and Manchester City.

Chapman told Monday Night Club on 5 Live: “This weekend has been miserable and difficult for everyone involved.

It is ironic that in a row over impartiality we have all been seen to be taking sides, and I feel there are lessons to be learned by all involved.”