Stars pull out of BBC football shows in protest at suspension of Gary Lineker

The BBC says the host of Match of the Day broke its guidelines by tweeting criticism of the government's new immigration policy

Author: Jonny FreemanPublished 11th Mar 2023
Last updated 11th Mar 2023

The BBC sporting schedule has been further disrupted as more presenters pull out of shows after Gary Lineker was told to step back from hosting Match Of The Day in a row over impartiality.

On Saturday morning, Alex Scott said she will not be hosting Football Focus at lunchtime as it "doesn't feel right", amid reports the BBC had pulled the show.

She'd previously confirmed last night she wouldn't be involved in Match of the Day either.

Pundits Glenn Murray and Kelly Somers they will not be taking part in the show which looks ahead to the weekend's football action.

Jason Mohammad has also said he will not be presenting the BBC's Final Score programme later today.

On Friday evening several of Match of the Day's commentators shared a joint statement online, announcing they would also be stepping down from Saturday's broadcast.

They followed pundits and former players Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Ian Wright and Jermaine Jenas in saying they wouldn't be involved.

The BBC's decision has also had an impact on Premier League players.

The PFA's confirmed they won't be taking part in interviews today with the programme.

There's also been a big political reaction to the decision and the comments first initially made by Gary Lineker on Wednesday.

Labour's Yvette Cooper and former Liberal Democrats leader Tim Farron have criticised the BBC's stance on the matter.

They're among the MPs who feel the government's using the situation to its own advantage.

However, some Conservative MPs have come out in favour of the decision.

Bassetlaw's Brendan Clarke Smith has said he thinks it's important the corporation sticks firmly to its guidelines of impartiality when it comes to political issues.

The Home Secretary Suella Braverman previously described Lineker's comments as 'disappointing'.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.))