Footballers are reportedly planning to refuse interviews to the BBC over the row that saw Gary Lineker dropped from Match of the Day because of a tweet on Government immigration policy. And commentators have also "decided to step down" from Saturday's programme, in a show of support for the host.
The footballers' union, the PFA, was reported to be prepared to back any members who take the stand in support of Lineker, and regular Match of the Day pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer. BBC News sports editor Dan Roan said that players from "several clubs" had contacted the PFA for advice.
Henry Winter, the chief football writer for The Times, also predicted boycotts of BBC post-match interviews. The BBC announced yesterday that Match of the Day tonight (Saturday, March 11) would not feature any pundits, and would focus just on match action.
