Match of the Day will air without a studio presenter, pundits, or regular commentators later this month after the BBC told Gary Lineker to step down in a dispute over impartiality.
Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, and Jermaine Jenas have all stated that they will not be appearing on the show.
Alex Scott hinted at the same thing, and Steve Wilson said he and the rest of the MOTD commentating team would do the same.
It comes after Lineker criticized the government’s asylum policy.
According to the BBC, the show will instead “focus on match action” on Saturday night.
According to a spokesperson on Friday evening: “Some of our pundits have stated that they do not wish to appear on the show while we work to resolve Gary’s situation.
“We understand their point of view, and we’ve decided that the show will focus on match action rather than studio presentation or punditry.”
Wilson stated in a tweet: “We have decided to step down as MOTD commentators for tomorrow night’s broadcast.
“We are relieved that football fans who want to watch their teams should still be able to do so,” he added, noting that alternative commentary sources were available.
Match of the Day will air without a studio presenter, pundits, or regular commentators later this month after the BBC told Gary Lineker to step down in a dispute over impartiality.
Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, and Jermaine Jenas have all stated that they will not be appearing on the show.
Alex Scott hinted at the same thing, and Steve Wilson said he and the rest of the MOTD commentating team would do the same.
It comes after Lineker criticized the government’s asylum policy.
According to the BBC, the show will instead “focus on match action” on Saturday night.
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Footballer who became a Saturday television fixture
According to a spokesperson on Friday evening: “Some of our pundits have stated that they do not wish to appear on the show while we work to resolve Gary’s situation.
“We understand their point of view, and we’ve decided that the show will focus on match action rather than studio presentation or punditry.”
Wilson stated in a tweet: “We have decided to step down as MOTD commentators for tomorrow night’s broadcast.
“We are relieved that football fans who want to watch their teams should still be able to do so,” he added, noting that alternative commentary sources were available.