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.
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Football Focus was scrapped once Alex Scott revealed she would also not front the morning build-up show. Final Score, the Saturday afternoon programme which predates Match of the Day, has also been abandoned.
The Professional Footballers’ Association also released a statement confirming that Premier League players will not have to conduct post-match interviews with the BBC. Their announcement read: “We have been informed that players involved in today's (Saturday) games will not be asked to participate in interviews with Match of the Day.
“The PFA have been speaking to members who wanted to take a collective position and to be able to show their support for those who have chosen not to be part of tonight's programme.
"During those conversations, we made clear that, as their union, we would support all members who might face consequences for choosing not to complete their broadcast commitments. This is a common sense decision that ensures players won't now be put in that position."
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