Alex Scott and Jason Mohammad have confirmed that they will not present their shows Football Focus and Final Score today, in solidarity with Gary Lineker as the BBC fallout over comments made by the Match of the Day host continues.
Football Focus, which was due to air at midday, has now been pulled off the air following Scott's announcement, with the slot replaced by an episode of Bargain Hunt. Meanwhile, an episode of The Repair Shop is now due to be shown in the 4:30pm slot in place of Final Score, according to the BBC's schedule.
The BBC confirmed on Friday that Lineker had been asked to step back from his presenting duties until they had an "agreed and clear position on his use of social media", following remarks he made on Twitter concerning the Government's new Illegal Immigration Bill. A statement from the BBC said that they had found the presenter to have breached their guidelines on impartiality, after he described the new bill as "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
READ MORE: Match of the Day to air without presenters or pundits after Gary Lineker fallout - live updates
Lineker received a huge influx of support from fellow presenters and football stars following the BBC's announcement, with Alan Shearer and Ian Wright confirming that they would be boycotting MOTD in solidarity with their colleague. Late on Friday evening several of the show's commentators shared a joint statement online, announcing they would also be stepping down from Saturday’s broadcast.
Match of the Day is now set to go ahead as a highlights package without a presenter or pundits, the BBC confirmed on Friday. Former Arsenal star Scott confirmed on Friday that she would not be stepping in to fill Gary's shoes on MOTD, and on Saturday morning announced that she had also pulled out as host of Football Focus.
Scott wrote on Twitter: "I made a decision last night that even though I love my show and we have had an incredible week winning an SJA for football focus that it doesn’t feel right for me to go ahead with the show today. Hopefully I will be back in the chair next week."
It was expected that Scott could be replaced by BBC Sport reporter Kelly Somers, but she has also confirmed that she has pulled out of any presenting duties. Somers said on Twitter: "Just to confirm I won’t be on BBC television today."
Jason Mohammad confirmed on Saturday morning that he has joined the BBC boycott, writing on Twitter: "As you know, Final Score is a TV show very close to my heart. However - I have this morning informed the BBC that I will not be presenting the show this afternoon on BBC One."
Meanwhile, a petition to reinstate Lineker in his position as Match of the Day host has surpassed 100,000 signatures in under 10 hours. Among those publicly showing their support to the presenter amid the row on Friday were Jeremy Clarkson, Piers Morgan, Jeremy Corbyn and Nicola Sturgeon.
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