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      Match of the Day in major doubt as it emerges episode could be entirely SILENT because of BBC rights issue

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      THE BBC has reportedly insisted that Match of the Day will go ahead tonight.However, the show will be a shorter program with no commentary, as per reports.
      Match of the Day could be in silence tonightCredit: BBC
      The MoTD commentators have stepped down in support of Gary LinekerCredit: PA
      The football highlights programme has lost its commentators for the show as they have refused to work in support of show host Gary Lineker.
      The show was at risk of being scrapped due to the BBC not being able to get any commentary for the highlights.
      This means that when highlights of the games are being shown that there will be no commentators describing the action, according to The Athletic.
      The BBC have no rights to the commentaries supplied by Premier League Productions.
      READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER
      Last night Match of the Day commentators released a statement saying they would be standing down from duty this weekend in support of Lineker after the BBC yanked him off air over a Nazi tweet row.
      Gary compared the Government’s language around its small boats crackdown to that of 1930s Germany – causing him to be suspended by the Beeb.
      They suggested that the BBC would still be able to use the commentary from the tournaments world feed so viewers would still have some description of the games.
      However, it is believed that the BBC’s contract is only for video highlights and therefore will have to supply its own commentary.
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      It is not yet known if the BBC have requested the Premier League provide commentary, but an insider told The Times that the BBC are sorry for the “limited sport programming this weekend”.
      The insider added that it was “working hard to resolve the situation and hopes to do so soon”.
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      Football Focus was axed just hours before it was scheduled to go on air today as pundits also refused to work.
      Fans earlier put the boot into the BBC – with some claiming they will boycott Match of the Day after Lineker was taken off air.
      The former England striker has taken time today to go up to Leicester and watch his side face Chelsea at the King Power Stadium. More

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      Gary Lineker arrives to watch boyhood club Leicester play Chelsea after BBC pull him off Match of the Day

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      GARY Lineker has arrived to watch his boyhood club Leicester play Chelsea after the BBC pulled him off Match of the Day.Lineker, 62, was axed from the show after he compared the Government’s language around its small boats crackdown to that of 1930s Germany.
      Gary Lineker arriving ahead of the Premier League match at the King Power StadiumCredit: PA
      Lineker is watching his boyhood club Leicester play Chelsea
      The presenter poses for photographs with fans in the standsCredit: PA
      Ian Wright and Alan Shearer have walked out in ‘solidarity’ with Lineker
      The former England footballer jokes with friendsCredit: AFP
      Leicester City fans hold up signs in support of former player LinekerCredit: Reuters
      Lineker has been suspended by the BBCCredit: PA
      His fellow presenters are refusing to appear on air in solidarity today – meaning Match of the Day is being forced to go ahead without presenters, pundits or commentators.
      And the chaos spread further when Football Focus’s Alex Scott chose to not host the programme following the suspension storm.
      But Lineker looked cool, calm and collected as he arrived at the King Power Stadium roughly an hour before the Foxes’ Premier League clash.
      In the stands, before kick-off he was spotted joking and posing for selfies with fans.
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      When the match began he appeared nervous with his hands over his mouth as Chelsea took a 1-0 lead over his old team.
      However, when the Foxes’ equalised he was seen celebrating with his son and friends.
      It comes as a BBC spokesperson said they will air “limited sport programming” over the weekend and is “working hard to resolve the situation”.
      Yesterday Lineker was ordered to issue a “humiliating apology” by execs or face being “rested” from Match of the Day.
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      A source said: “This has been a tumultuous 24 hours. Gary is in shock and had no idea this was coming. He wanted to go on air, make no bones about it, this was not his decision.
      “Privately, everyone at the Beeb is in meltdown too. They genuinely don’t know how they will get a show out because no one wants to touch it.
      “Everyone in the industry is appalled at how Gary has been hung out to dry, and the general BBC inconsistency. 
      “Gary wept when he found out his mates had all publicly backed him. 
      “The support has been overwhelming which, essentially, is a massive pie in the face for the BBC. 
      “Gary wasn’t willing to pretend to support something he vehemently doesn’t agree with.
      “He doesn’t need the cash and, frankly, it seems hard to imagine a way back for either party from here.”
      The ex-striker had compared language around the Government’s small boats crackdown to that used by Nazi Germany in the 1930s.
      The BBC initially said Lineker would be spoken to, then appeared to take no action against him. 
      That triggered a backlash from Tory MPs furious about a perceived breach of BBC impartiality rules.
      Yesterday afternoon, the BBC issued its botched statement stating Lineker had stepped back from presenting MoTD.
      The BBC was left scrambling to find a panel for the show, as other stars ruled themselves out.
      Pal Wright then tweeted that he will step away, saying: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.” 
      Shearer soon followed, saying: “I have informed the BBC I wont be appearing on MoTD.”
      And Football Focus host Alex Scott appeared to rule herself out, posting a meme which read “Nah, not me”.
      Read More on The Sun
      And pundit Richards backed the boycotters – saying he’d do the same if he was asked to host.
      Mark Chapman – who presents Match of the Day 2 on Sunday – also said he would not stand in.
      Lineker smiles leaving his home in London this morning More

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      Fuming John Terry slams ‘clown’ David Baddiel over MOTD joke and accuses him of using Chelsea legend for ‘cheap laughs’

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      JOHN TERRY has slammed David Baddiel for using his name for “cheap laughs” over the Match of the Day controversy.Comedian and Chelsea fan Baddiel made light of the ongoing dispute between Gary Lineker and MOTD.
      David Baddiel poked fun at John Terry over the Match of the Day fiascoCredit: The Mega Agency
      John Terry was not happy with Baddiel and labelled him a clownCredit: Getty
      Several presenters revealed they would not be replacing Lineker on the show including Mark Chapman.
      So in an attempt to be witty Baddiel put John Terry’s name forward in a jibe at the former Blues captain infamously standing in to lift the Champions League trophy in his kit in 2012 despite not playing in the final.
      Baddiel, 58, quipped: “I wonder if, somewhere, John Terry is practicing using an autocue.”
      Terry, 42, reacted angrily to the joke and used an emoji to label Baddiel a clown.
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      The ex-England captain replied saying: “Don’t use my name for a cheap laugh on social media!”
      Several names have been linked with replacing Lineker including former MOTD2 presenter Colin Murray.
      But after a boycott led by Ian Wright and Alan Shearer the BBC have decided to air Match of the Day without a presenter, pundits and even commentators.
      Some fans called for BBC Sport’s Emma Louise Jones to replace Lineker.
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      Jones has also presented for Leeds TV in the past and for BBC Radio 5 Live.
      Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, and Micah Richards all refused to fill in amid the chaos. More

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      Fans call for glamorous BBC Sport host Emma Louise Jones to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day

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      FANS have called on BBC Sport host Emma Louise Jones to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the Day. Lineker was suspended from the show after he compared the Government’s plans to ban migrants arriving on small boats from settling in Britain with “1930’s Germany”.
      BBC Sport host Emma Louise JonesCredit: Instagram / @eljonesuk
      Fans have called on Emma Louise Jones to replace Gary Lineker on Match of the DayCredit: Instagram / @eljonesuk
      Emma Louise Jones also presents for Leeds TVCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eljonesuk/?hl=en
      The former Premier League star was deemed to have breached the BBC’s guidelines and was forced to step back from his presenting role.
      But his suspension sparked chaos as scores of Match of the Day co-hosts refused to appear in solidarity with the veteran presenter.
      It has led to some fans filling up presenter Jones’ Instagram comments in a bid to have her replace Lineker.
      One said: “What you doing Saturday night? Fancy the MOTD Gig?”
      READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER
      Another posted: “MOTD needs you.”
      One added: “All set for MOTD tonight?”
      Another commented: “Can you be the new presenter for MOTD please.”
      Jones has also presented for Leeds TV in the past and for BBC Radio 5 Live.
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      Match of The Day has plunged into chaos as Jones’ BBC colleagues have refused to work in solidarity with Lineker.
      Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards all refused to fill in amid the chaos.
      Even matchday commentators pulled out of the show.
      The BBC confirmed that tonight’s Match of the Day will be aired with no commentators or hosts.
      No player or manager from the Premier League will be giving any interview to the show too.
      Gary Lineker has been taken off air by the BBCCredit: Alamy More

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      Inside Gary Lineker’s stylish home with plush velvet sofas, stunning art and cute dog amid Match Of The Day suspension

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      MATCH Of The Day anchor Gary Lineker’s stylish home life at his £4million Surrey mansion has been revealed following his suspension by the BBC.The broadcaster temporarily pulled sports pundit Gary, 62, from his Match Of The Day hosting role on Friday after he sparked a major backlash when he took to Twitter to hit out at the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill.
      Gary Lineker’s stylish home life has been revealed following his Match Of The Day suspensionCredit: Instagram
      The Match Of The Day anchor, 62, has been suspended from his BBC show role after comments made about the Government’s illegal migration billCredit: Alamy
      Back on home turf, Gary is a fan of modern artworkCredit: Instagram
      Since then, a host of his colleagues including s Alan Shearer and Ian Wright revealed they were refusing to star on the sporting show.
      This prompted similar reactions from the BBC Football Focus team, which is today being scrapped – and replaced with fan-favourite series Bargain Hunt.
      The former England star’s home life came under the spotlight back in 2020 when he invited a refugee to live in one of the five bedrooms of his mansion.
      Yet his Instagram page gives a glimpse into the cozy pad, adorned with trendy touches.
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      One image sees Gary preparing for a Zoom call while perched on a turquoise-coloured sofa, accentuated with mustard-shade cushions.
      Behind him a piece of modern art sits on the wall, featuring speckles of gold, grey and blue and positioned next to a gold lamp.
      In another room adorned with football shirts on the wall, Gary’s rescue dog Filbert – who he welcomed into the fold last year – can be seen fast asleep on a red sofa.
      Meanwhile, in a separate living space, a similar piece of brush-stroke art painted on canvas fills the wall.
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      It sits above a chic white marble cabinet, with coffee table books seen perched on the side.
      Another space – which the pundit appears to use for family gathering – has a classic touch with exposed wooden floorboards.
      There’s a red and white rug thrown over the floor while a huge glass light fitting adds a modern edge.
      The walls are painted a fresh green which allows the room to flow easily through the patio door to the garden outside.
      Gary is often seen celebrating his son’s birthday’s in the space, as well as playing host to his pals in his garden, which boasts a wooden dining table.
      Meanwhile, Gary, who has fronted MOTD since 1999, has been suspended from his presenting duties after previously saying he would face no disciplinary action.
      A BBC statement 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.
      “We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.”
      A spokesperson added that the Beeb considered Gary’s “recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines” and that he should “keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies”.
      The row ignited after Gary tweeted in reference to the Government’s new immigration bill, saying: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Responding to another user who described him as “out of order”, he added: “We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
      “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, and I’m out of order?”
      Gary’s rescue dog Filbert – who arrived into the family last year – clearly enjoys relaxing on his red sofaCredit: Instagram
      The pundit has given a glimpse into his home on InstagramCredit: Instagram
      There’s an outdoor space perfect for entertainingCredit: Instagram
      A casual socialising space features exposed wooden flooringCredit: Instagram More

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      Fans love Jeff Stelling’s cheeky opening joke on Soccer Saturday after Gary Lineker is pulled from Match of the Day

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      FOOTBALL fans are in stitches after Jeff Stelling made light of Gary Lineker’s BBC ban.Stelling opened Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday programme with a clever quip about needing to be on form today.
      Jeff Stelling made a clever quip about Gary Lineker’s Match of the Day absenceCredit: Sky Sports
      Lineker was pulled from MOTD by the BBC as part of the dispute over his tweetsCredit: Reuters
      There will be more eyeballs on him today as a result of Football Focus being taken off air – and Stelling joked he was auditioning for a new job.
      It comes after Lineker was withdrawn from his Match of the Day duties, with the flagship football show set to show highlights only after several pundits pulled out including Ian Wright and Alan Shearer.
      Stelling, who has shown support for Lineker over his BBC dispute, could not help but joke about the situation.
      He said: “I need to be at the top of my game today because there’s a top-notch football presenter available on Saturdays now.”
      READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER

      Fans found Stelling’s wisecrack hilarious and praised his comment on Twitter.
      One wrote: “Jeff Stelling’s opening line as perfect as expected on Soccer Saturday.”
      Another added: “Fantastic intro 😂”
      A third said: “Hilarious first comment on Soccer Saturday I loved it 🤣”
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      And another commented: “Jeff Stelling brilliant as ever.”
      Stelling showed support for Lineker and Wright after the latter said he would not be appearing on Match of the Day out of solidarity for Lineker.
      He replied saying: “Well played Wrighty.” More

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      Arsenal legend Ian Wright threatens to quit Match of the Day for GOOD in passionate defence of Gary Lineker

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      IAN WRIGHT has threatened to quit Match of the Day for good over the BBC’s treatment of Gary Lineker.The Arsenal legend was the first to pull out of this evening’s show over the Beeb’s decision to suspend their popular host.
      Ian Wright could quit MOTD for goodCredit: PA
      Pals Gary Lineker and Wrighty are regulars together on MOTDCredit: Twitter / @GaryLineker
      Addressing the situation on his podcast Wrighty’s House, the 59-year-old claimed he would be “gone” if Lineker was not restored as MOTD’s host.
      He said: “That is the distraction and let me tell you something, if the BBC do get rid of Gary Lineker I am out.
      “I am gone, I am not staying there. On his own platform, he should be able to say what he wants to say.
      “Gary Lineker he says stuff on everything and it’s almost like this one has missed everybody simply because he says so much but this is so right what he is saying. I have spoken to Gary, I am behind him.
      READ MORE ON MATCH OF THE DAY
      “He wrote a tweet about everything that has been happening with the human rights issues and everything here and it’s the perfect distraction for this government.
      “Gary’s tweet was the headline news, it’s like they need Gary Lineker to distract everybody. For me, it is a human issue it’s not political.
      “They have got no empathy, the most vulnerable ones are always the ones that suffer. They are the ones that suffer and it starts with words.
      “Gary Lineker I think retweeted from a German professor, because the Hitler thing is what they all jumped on and everything like that but he retweeted saying that it all starts with language.
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      Lineker, 62, has received plenty of support since his BBC suspensionCredit: Getty
      “It starts with words, they didn’t just start throwing people into concentration camps.
      “It starts with words and language and what they are doing again is the culture war they want us to all have, left-versus-right: ‘Oh you’re woke, you’re woke’.”
      Lineker, 62, was pulled from hosting duties this week following his tweet likening Suella Braverman’s language while unveiling the Government’s small boats plan to that of 1930s Germany.
      Wright subsequently pulled out of the show in solidarity with his pal, and was quickly followed by fellow MOTD regular Alan Shearer.
      Football Focus presenter Alex Scott, BBC Radio 5 Live’s Mark Chapman and pundits Jermaine Jenas and Micah Richards were among those to then follow.
      Match of the Day commentators then revealed that they would not be taking part in the programme either.
      Fans may instead receive Premier League world feed commentary not usually heard in this country.
      The PFA have confirmed that players in action today will not be asked to speak to Match of the Day.
      While Football Focus and Final Score will not go ahead this afternoon after Scott and Jason Mohammad pulled out.
      Alex Scott is among those to have pulled out of BBC hosting duties this weekendCredit: Getty More

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      What time is Match of the Day on TV tonight and why are there no BBC presenters?

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      MATCH of the Day is set to go ahead as planned despite having no presenter, pundits or commentary team following Gary Lineker’s suspension from the BBC.It comes after the former England star’s controversial tweet surrounding the government’s new immigration legislation.
      Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker for Match of the DayCredit: PA
      The BBC said it 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.”
      What time is Match of the Day and what channel is it on?

      Match of the Day is on TONIGHT at 10:20pm UK time.
      Match of the Day will be shown live on BBC 1.
      You can stream it free via BBC iPlayer, providing you have a valid TV license.

      Why are there no presenters on Match of the Day?
      There will be no presenters, pundits or BBC commentary during tonight’s screening of Match of the Day.
      High-profile names within the BBC, such as Alan Shearer, Ian Wright, Alex Scott, Micah Richards, Mark Chapman and Jermain Jenas, have all pulled out as a sign of solidarity to colleague Gary Lineker following his suspension from the BBC.
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      Meaning there will be nobody in the studio to take us through all of Saturday’s Premier League action.
      A statement from a BBC spokesperson read “Some of our pundits have said they don’t wish to appear on the programme while we seek to resolve the situation with Gary.
      In addition to a vacant studio, regular Match of the Day commentator Steve Wilson has revealed that neither he nor any of his colleagues will commentate on any games for tonight’s program.
      Credit: @Wilsonfooty via Twitter
      Meanwhile, all clubs participating in Saturday’s Premier League fixtures will not be asked any questions by the BBC.
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