Saturday morning show Football Focus has been pulled off the air by BBC chiefs after hosts refused to present. The decision comes just hours after news broke about Gary Lineker’s forced hiatus from Match of the Day.
Lineker, the main presenter on BBC’s flagship football show since 1999, was suspended over Twitter comments criticising the government’s controversial Illegal Migration Bill. The former England international compared Rishi Sunak’s proposals to those of “1930s Germany” - causing the Beeb to axe him until further notice due to impartiality regulations.
Many of his colleagues, including Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer and former Arsenal star Ian Wright, announced their intentions to show solidarity with Lineker. A domino effect ensued, with more pundits and commentators pulling out - throwing Saturday’s Match of the Day into limbo.
