The BBC has confirmed there will likely be no presenter or pundits on Match of the Day this weekend after Gary Lineker was proven solidarity by colleagues after being stood down.
The transfer comes after Alan Shearer joined Ian Wright in boycotting the flagship soccer highlights programme.
While Micah Richards, Jermaine Jenas and Alex Scott additionally dominated themselves out of showing on the present, forcing the BBC’s hand with the previous England striker advised to “step back” from his presenting duties on account of his use of social media.
A BBC spokesperson stated: “Some of our pundits have said that they don’t wish to appear on the programme while we seek to resolve the situation with Gary.
“We understand their position and we have decided that the programme will focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry.”
Former Newcastle ahead Shearer added: “I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night,” Shearer stated.
Wright had earlier tweeted: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.”
Lineker has been concerned in a row over impartiality after criticising the federal government’s asylum coverage on small boats. The former England striker in contrast the federal government’s language in launching the coverage with Thirties Germany.
Former England internationals Wright and Shearer are the 2 greatest names to often seem alongside Lineker on Match of the Day and it isn’t but clear who will exchange them.
Sky News are reporting that Lineker has been pulled off air, slightly than being requested to step again, with different pundits now reluctant to look on the highlights present following the BBC’s choice.
Scott, who’s scheduled to host the Saturday lunchtime programme Football Focus, tweeted a GIF which acknowledged: “Nah, not me.” Richards stated: “I was not due to be working on MOTD tomorrow, but if I was, I would find myself taking the same decision that Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have.”
Jenas later added: “I wasn’t down to be doing Match of the Day tomorrow, but if I was I would [have] said no and stood with my fellow pundits”.
The former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who works alongside Wright on ITV, tweeted his help for his choice to boycott the programme. Neville commented: “I had no doubt Ian Wright would do that! Who the hell is going to go on now!”
Match of the Day’s lead commentator, Steve Wilson, stated: “So sad that this has become the story rather than the tragedy of human beings struggling to find sanctuary. Having taken in refugees himself, Gary has surely earned the right to express his opinion.”
Former Match of the Day host Dan Walker, who would fill in for Lineker earlier than leaving the BBC for Channel Five, tweeted: “It’ll be very interesting to see how the editors, directors and producers all react to the decision.”
A BBC spokesperson stated: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
“The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match Of The Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.
“When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.
“We have never said that Gary should be an opinion-free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.”
