Match of the Day ‘will NOT interview any managers on Saturday’ as mass boycotts in solidarity with axed presenter Gary Lineker continue… after Jurgen Klopp became the first to
- Mass walkouts occurred after the BBC axed Gary Lineker from Match of the Day
- The presenter was temporarily dropped for standing firm on his ‘Nazi’ jibe tweet
- Pundits, commentators, players and managers won’t appear on the programme
Match of the Day will not interview any managers or players on Saturday as mass boycotts in solidarity with Gary Lineker continue to disrupt the nations’ flagship football show.
Lineker, 62, was temporarily dropped as Match of the Day’s presenter on Friday after the BBC decreed his ‘Nazi’ jibe tweet that compared the Home Office’s immigration policy to 1930s Germany breached impartiality rules.
Match of the Day regulars Ian Wright and Alan Shearer quickly stepped down from their punditry roles in support of Lineker, prompting mass walkouts from fellow pundits, commentators and even players.
Alex Scott, Jermaine Jenas, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards followed their colleagues’ example on Friday evening, handing Match of the Day its worst disruption in the programme’s 59-year history.
A well-placed insider described the presenters’ mutiny as a ‘proper BBC crisis’.
The BBC programme is in ‘crisis’ with no presenters, pundits or commentators for the first time in its history after the corporation’s decision to boot Gary Lineker off air led to mass walkouts
Players and managers will not be interviewed on Match of the Day – meaning Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp (above) will not give the show his post-match views after visiting Bournemouth
The Premier League has now informed all 12 clubs playing on Saturday that Match of the Day will not request post-match interviews with managers or players.
Sportsmail revealed on Friday evening that managers and players were considering joining the boycott in solidarity with Lineker, and the programme’s organisers have subsequently cut their losses by choosing not to hold any post-match interviews.
This means the likes of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Chelsea head coach Graham Potter will not deliver their thoughts on Match of the Day.
Sportsmail understands that their absence only applies to television duties and that manager appearances on radio shows such as BBC 5 Live will continue as usual.
In the wake of the mass boycotts, the BBC confirmed it was unable to find a presenter to fill the vacant hot seat, and with no top commentators the corporation may have to rely on the Premier League’s world feed service.
Gary Lineker was told that he either had to stop his politicised posts or quit the BBC altogether
Ian Wright and Alan Shearer took to social media to confirm they were boycotting the show
Regular Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson said he and other talking heads have vowed not to participate in the next programme.
He said: ‘As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to step down from [Saturday] 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.’
He added: ‘In the circumstances, we do not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme.’
The BBC’s axing of Lineker has caused disruption beyond just Match of the Day.
Scott, host of BBC’s Football Focus, will now not present the popular sports show in support of her broadcasting colleague, The Sun has learned.
Her role will be filled by Kelly Somers, a presenter and commentator for the broadcaster, in the interim.
Presenter Alex Scott stepped down from her role on Football Focus in solidarity with Lineker
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