By Victor Kanayo
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is at the receiving end, a day after it decided to yank off Match Of The Day (MOTD) host Gary Lineker.
Specifically, the BBC said Lineker will not present the TV show until an agreement is reached on his social media use, after he was embroiled in a row over impartiality by comparing the language used to launch a new government asylum policy with 1930s Germany.
However, there is a growing staff boycott after the controversial decision to step down the popular football broadcaster.
Sky Sports reports that a number of BBC football shows across TV and radio have been taken off air after presenters pulled out in “solidarity” with Lineker, who was removed by the BBC in a row over impartiality.
Final Score and Football Focus were pulled from BBC One on Saturday after their respective hosts, Jason Mohammad and Alex Scott, said they would not host their shows.
BBC 5 Live’s Fighting Talk also did not air on Saturday morning for what host Colin Murray said were “obvious reasons”.
The boycott began when former Arsenal striker and pundit Ian Wright said he will not take part in Saturday’s Match of the Day programme in “solidarity” with Lineker, while former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer later announced he would also not be taking part in the show.
Former Arsenal and England defender Scott ruled herself out of presenting Saturday’s Match of the Day, by tweeting: “FYI…” and a GIF which quotes “Nah! Not me”.
The BBC’s MOTD commentators have also decided not to work for the programme in a show of support for Lineker.
Steve Wilson tweeted: “As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to step down from tomorrow night’s broadcast. We are comforted that football fans who want to watch their teams should still be able to do so, as management can use World Feed commentary if they wish.
“However, in the circumstances, we do not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme.”
Meanwhile, Lineker is live at the King Power stadium where Leicester City host Chelsea as at the time Heritage Times (HT) compiled this report.
