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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Entertainment
Daniel Bird & Charlotte McIntyre

Every BBC sports show returning this weekend after Gary Lineker sparked mass exodus

Gary Lineker returns to Match of the Day this weekend but he's not the only one who will be back on screens after a break with Football Focus and Final Score also making its return.

The former England footballer wasn't the only famous face missing from TV last weekend after he was axed from Match of the Day as several of his BBC colleagues announced they wouldn't be taking on their usual presenting roles in support of Gary.

After Gary's suspension was announced, co-stars Ian Wright and Alan Shearer quickly showed their solidarity by refusing to appear on the show while Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Jermaine Jenas ruled themselves out as replacement hosts.

Premier League players were also not asked to participate in interviews with Match of the Day after the Professional Footballers Association released a statement confirming that football players wanted to share their support for those who chose not to be part of last week's programme.

Gary Lineker has returned to Match of the Day after his Twitter controversy (Getty Images)

Match of the Day was cut to just over 20 minutes following the staggering fallout from the Linker row but tonight it returns to its usual format and will begin at 10.30pm on BBC One for 80 minutes.

Fans can expect plenty of coverage from all the biggest games including Premier League fixture Chelsea v Everton and FA Cup clash between Manchester City and Burnley.

Last Saturday's Football Focus and Final Score were axed completely after Alex Scott and Jason Mohammad refused to work but they are also set to return following the controversy.

Alex hosts Football Focus at 11.15am while Jason returns to Final Score at 4.30pm, both on BBC One.

The BBC had also been forced to axed a chunk of last week's football coverage on radio after 5 Live Sport presenter Mark Chapman and a number of others decided against hosting their shows but normal coverage will resume this weekend.

Alex will host Football Focus on Saturday at 11.15am (PA)

Match of the Day's host will return to the programme after he announced on social media that he and the BBC have "navigated a way" through the recent scandal.

The commentator sparked a mass debate after comparing the proposed government policy for immigration to Germany in the 1930s.

He tweeted: "After a surreal few days, I’m delighted that we have navigated a way through this. I want to thank you all for the incredible support, particularly my colleagues at BBC Sport, for the remarkable show of solidarity. Football is a team game but their backing was overwhelming.

"I have been presenting sport on the BBC for almost 3 decades and am immeasurably proud to work with the best and fairest broadcaster in the world. I cannot wait to get back in the MOTD chair on Saturday.

Final Score, hosted by Jason Mohammad, will also return (BBC / Adrian Myers / Anna Mullin)

"A final thought: however difficult the last few days have been, it simply doesn’t compare to having to flee your home from persecution or war to seek refuge in a land far away. It’s heartwarming to have seen the empathy towards their plight from so many of you."

"We remain a country of predominantly tolerant, welcoming and generous people. Thank you," he added.

Initially, Gary shared his opinion after Suella Braverman announced the new plans to stop migrants crossing the English Channel on boats and also claimed the UK is "overwhelmed".

Re-sharing the video, he said: "Good heavens, this is beyond awful."

He later commented: "There is no huge influx. 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."

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