The BBC’s weekend soccer TV schedule is collapsing like a cricket facet, with its common late Saturday afternoon present Soccer Focus – which normally highlights the day’s Premier League matches – having to be pulled, after an inventory of high-profile names introduced right this moment they have been boycotting the present.
UPDATE:
In an indication that the debacle is spreading past the BBC, the Skilled Footballers’ Affiliation has within the final hour introduced that no gamers right this moment will probably be giving post-match interviews to the present. This determination was reported to have come after gamers made enquiries about easy methods to present their assist for Lineker and co.
The principle presenter, former footballer Alex Scott, has added her identify to these stepping again from broadcasting duties this weekend in assist of Match of the Day host Gary Lineker – benched by the BBC after he tweeted his views opposing the federal government’s migration coverage.
Scott shared her determination to not current Soccer Focus on Twitter:
And sports activities reporter Kelly Somers additionally confirmed she wouldn’t be showing:
Sky Information reported that pundits Glenn Murray and Anita Asante have additionally withdrawn from right this moment’s programme.
This follows a list of pundits and commentators boycotting Match of the Day, the BBC’s flagship soccer present and the the broadcaster’s determination to air as an alternative a highlights reel, with no faces within the studio this night. Lineker is the BBC’s highest paid presenter, however has come below hearth this week after he stated the federal government’s freshly introduced migration coverage was utilizing language not dissimilar to that utilized by “Germany within the 30s”.
