The BBC's Sunday sports coverage - including Match of the Day 2 - remains up in the air as the row over Gary Lineker's suspension rumbles on. Shows are in chaos as presenters, pundits and commentators down tools in support of the former England striker, who was suspended for comparing the language around Home Secretary Suella Braverman's 'cruel' migrant policy with that of 1930s Germany on Twitter.
Saturday's Match Of The Day aired for only 20 minutes and did not include accompanying commentary or analysis from pundits or even its famous theme tune – instead broadcasting only short highlight clips of the day’s matches.
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Ahead of the show starting, a continuity announcer said: "Now on BBC One, we’re sorry that we’re unable to show our normal Match Of The Day including commentary tonight. But here now is the best action from today’s Premier League matches." Several of the broadcaster’s other football shows were pulled at the last minute on Saturday as more presenters and reporters withdrew, with neither Football Focus nor Final Score airing – while 5 Live’s radio coverage was radically altered throughout the day.
There are now major questions surrounding Sunday's planned coverage and whether the BBC can get Match of the Day 2 with Mark Chapman onto TV screens. The host was absent from the airwaves on Saturday.
Pundit Jermain Defoe has already announced he he would not appear. The former Tottenham striker tweeted on Saturday: "It’s always such a privilege to work with BBC MOTD. But tomorrow I have taken the decision to stand down from my punditry duties. @GaryLineker."
Further doubt was cast as sports broadcaster Mark Chapman, who is due to host Match Of The Day 2, did not present for BBC Radio 5 Live Sport on Saturday.
Gabby Logan is also due to host live coverage from 2.15pm as Scotland play Ireland at Murrayfield for the Six Nations Rugby. The Welsh presenter has not yet commented on whether she will present the show or not.
The Women’s Football Show is also scheduled to air from 11.45pm for more than 40 minutes, but it could also be affected by the BBC only airing 'limited sport programming' this weekend.
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