The BBC have issued a new statement regarding the decision to take Gary Lineker off air.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster confirmed this evening no-one will be presenting Match of the Day tomorrow night, following the organisation's choice to prevent Lineker from resuming his presenting duties.
It follows Alex Scott, The One Show host Jermaine Jenas and more refusing to fill in for Lineker - with Alan Shearer and Ian Wright both pulling out of their scheduled appearances on the show.
A BBC spokesperson said: “Some of our pundits have said that they don’t wish to appear on the programme while we seek to resolve the situation with Gary.
“We understand their position and we have decided that the programme will focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry.”
Lineker tweeted critically about the government's 'Stop the Boats' asylum policy earlier this week leading to a backlash from Conservatives and the right wing media.
The former England striker, who works for the BBC as a freelance TV host, said the language in which their plan to 'stop the boats' was set out was "not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s".
Following days of speculation, the BBC confirmed earlier today that Lineker would not be presenting Match of the Day this weekend - prompting a huge backlash from the public and other BBC stars.
Ian Wright, one of Lineker's co-host's on Match of the Day, quickly took to social media to confirm he would not be appearing on the show tomorrow night out of solidarity.
He tweeted: "Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity."
Alan Shearer later announced on Instagram that he would also not be appearing on Match of the Day out of solidarity for his co-star.
He said on Twitter : "I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night."
Alex Scott quickly ruled herself out of the running to replace Lineker on the show, with Jermaine Jenas also standing in solidarity with the presenter.
Prior to the BBC announcing no-one will be hosting Match of the Day this weekend, Piers Morgan issued a warning to any star considering keeping Lineker's seat warm over the weekend.
Taking to Twitter this evening, Lineker's pal wrote: "Memo to anyone who now agrees to present @BBCMOTD tomorrow: we’ll see you, and we’ll judge you accordingly."
As the latest statement from the BBC dropped this evening, Morgan added: "WHAT? The BBC has lost its mind. The whole production crew should walk out now."
Lineker confirmed to Channel 5 News anchor Dan Walker this evening that it was not his decision to step back, telling Walker "they [the BBC] have told me I have to step back" via Whatsapp as the former Strictly star presented the news live on air.
The Mirror has launched a petition to have Gary Lineker reinstated at the BBC and as the host of Match of the Day. Sign it here.
Gary described the government's new Migration Bill as "beyond awful" after it was unveiled by home secretary Suella Braverman on Tuesday - later adding: "This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s."
The presenter refused to delete the tweet or apologise, leading to the BBC issuing a statement earlier today.
A spokesperson for the BBC said: "The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media."
“When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none. "
