Match Of The Day on BBC will have no studio presenter, pundits and commentators after host Gary Lineker step down
Match of The Day 2018/19,14-08-2018,Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Ian Wright,Picture shows: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Ian Wright ,BBC ,Pete Dadds
Saturday’s Match of the Day show will go ahead without a presenter or pundits after the BBC decided Gary Lineker was to take a ‘step back’ from his role.
And there will also be no commentators during the programme as they joined in on the boycott alongside their colleagues.
The BBC took exception to Lineker criticising the UK government over their new asylum policy, where he likened the language of the bill to that of 1930s Germany.
In response, usual MOTD pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer took to social media to announce they won’t be in the studio as a sign of solidarity.
BBC presenter Alex Scott then ruled herself out of replacing Lineker, while pundits Jermaine Jenas and Micah Richards, who often appear on Match of the Day 2, stated they also wouldn’t be prepared to step in.
And the BBC have now taken the drastic decision in stating that Saturday night’s programme will show just the highlight’s of the day’s top-flight action.
There will be no analysis of the games, with Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea all in action.
A statement from a BBC spokesperson read: “Some of our pundits have said 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 on punditry.”
In another blow for the BBC, Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson announced he and his colleagues wouldn’t be lending their voice to games.
He tweeted: “As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to step down from tomorrow night’s broadcast.
“We are comforted that football fans who want to watch their teams should still be able to do so, as management can use World Feed commentary if they wish.”
And it is also understood that talks are ongoing between the PFA, BBC and the Premier League about players and managers not being put up for interviews on Match of The Day after their matches.
As it stands, it looks unlikely that players will be performing their media duties to the BBC.
Six games are being played on Saturday, with Premier League champions Manchester City away at Crystal Palace.
