BBC chief Tim Davie jets back from the US to hold CRISIS talks with Gary Lineker to sort out chaos

BBC boss Tim Davie has flown back from the United States for crisis talks with Gary Lineker in a desperate bid to end the chaos that has enveloped the broadcaster since the Match of the Day pundit was suspended.

The beleaguered director general jetted to the UK from Washington DC on another day of disruption – with more presenters and commentators walking out in support of Lineker.

Despite the weekend’s carnage there is a belief within the BBC that a resolution will be found imminently, which would see Lineker back on the show next weekend.

Indeed some feel programming could return to normal from Monday with Mark Chapman – who sat the weekend out – set to host the evening’s Monday Night Club on Radio 5 Live.

Following Saturday night’s shortened, commentary-less Match of the Day, Sunday’s Match of the Day 2 followed a similar format. 

The BBC made the decision on Friday evening to temporarily axe Lineker from hosting MOTD

Lineker (middle) was missing from Saturday’s Match of the Day show after being temporarily removed from his role

Elsewhere, no presenters or commentators from the BBC were at the televised 12.30pm Women’s Super League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United, with BBC2 instead taking a world feed commentary.

Staffer Steve Crossman refused to present Radio 5 Live’s afternoon sports show and while there were – like Saturday – radio commentaries of yesterday’s matches there was again no 606 phone-in.

Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton, who features on the show, was prepared to take part but others were not.

Davie was on business in DC but is facing mounting pressure to resolve a conflict that has brought the broadcaster’s sports department to its knees and caused severe internal unrest.

Commentator Ian Dennis covered Saturday’s Leeds versus Brighton clash and suffered widespread abuse on social media for doing so. 

John Murray, who commentated on Sunday’s Newcastle versus Wolves match, referred to ‘a difficult and challenging time for colleagues and friends’ at the BBC. Many were appalled by the criticism Dennis received, pointing out that he was simply doing his job.

A number of freelancers will also have missed out on payment with shifts cancelled at late notice while there is anger among some at the walkouts, with some lower-paid members of staff feeling they have been placed into an impossible position.

Lineker was taken off air after a tweet which criticised the government’s asylum policy in which he likened the language used to ‘that used by Germany in the 30s’. He has received widespread support, with Alan Shearer, Ian Wright and Alex Scott among those to boycott the BBC amid unprecedented scenes.

There is hope that Lineker could return to host next Saturday’s episode of Match of the Day

Sportsmail columnist who also features on the BBC’s 5 Live phone-in believes the ‘situation is complicated’

Sutton, who provides his view on the matter in Sunday’s newspaper, says he has sympathy with all of those involved. ‘I’m also a huge admirer of Gary Lineker and, like most football fans, love watching Match of the Day on a Saturday night,’ he writes. 

‘I sincerely hope this messy situation between Gary and the BBC gets resolved so we can see him back on MOTD as soon as possible.

‘I support free speech. The power to be able to speak freely is pivotal. But the situation is complicated and I feel greatly for BBC staffers who aren’t sure what to do and freelancers who are losing work because of this situation. 

‘People shouldn’t be put into a position where they have to choose between work or supporting Gary. You can do both.’