Match of the Day 2 expected to go ahead in same format as MOTD with no presenter or commentary after Mark Chapman pulled out in solidarity with Gary Lineker… as WSL coverage is also hit by boycotts
Match of the Day 2 is likely to be without host Mark Chapman with the programme expected to have a scaled down format.
The format is expected to be similar to Saturday night’s Match of the Day with no pundits, presenters, or commentary.
Match of the Day was scaled down following the axing of lead presenter Gary Lineker from the broadcast over a recent tweet that saw him compare the UK Government’s planned policy over asylum seekers to ‘1930s Germany’.
His removal from the show was followed by co-hosts and commentators refusing to appear on Saturday’s football highlights show.
Some radio commentators, as well as Premier League managers and players also chose to boycott interviews with the organisation in solidarity.
Mark Chapman is not expected to present a scaled down Match of the Day 2 on Sunday
The format is expected to follow Saturday’s scaled down version of Match Of The Day
Uncertainty over Match of the Day 2’s format increased when Chapman stood down from his BBC radio duties on Saturday.
Jermain Defoe also announced he had pulled out of his punditry role on the programme.
‘It’s always such a privilege to work with BBC MOTD,’ the former England striker tweeted.
‘But tomorrow I have taken the decision to stand down from my punditry duties.’
Match Of The Day lasted just 20 minutes on Saturday following a day of chaos for the BBC, which left the broadcaster having to cancel most of its football coverage.
It was rebranded as ‘Premier League Highlights’ during its broadcast on Saturday evening.
The programme aired only short highlight clips of the day’s matches. Between each clip, a graphic appeared displaying which teams were playing.
Match of the Day lasted just 20 minutes as pundits and commentators supported Gary Lineker (left), who was stood down following a tweet about the Conservative government
BBC director general Tim Davie apologised for the impact on their sports scheduling
The usual match commentary was replaced with the sound of the crowd inside each stadium.
The scaled down programme followed Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulling out of their punditry duties in support of Lineker.
Alex Scott refused to host Football Focus on Saturday morning, while Final Score was also axed with Kelly Somers and Jason Mohammad pulling out of the programme.
BBC Radio 5 Live’s schedule was also majorly impacted with Chapman pulling out of broadcasting alongside Colin Murray, and pundit Dion Dublin, forcing the replacement of 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk with old football podcast episodes.
The impact on the BBC’s sports programmes is expected to continue into a second day.
The broadcaster is expected to show Chelsea ‘s top-of-the-table clash with Manchester United in the WSL later today, but the programme is set to go ahead without presentation.
BBC Radio Five will air live commentaries of Fulham’s home match against Premier League leaders Arsenal and Wolves visit to Newcastle this afternoon. The commentaries will be broadcast without a presenter.
The station did however drop its 12-2 Premier League recap show due to presenter and pundit absences in light of boycotts.
It is unclear whether the BBC’s football phone-in 606 will be broadcast this evening, with the programme having been axed on Saturday.
Alex Scott is one of those who decided to boycott football coverage on the BBC this weekend
BBC director general Tim Davie appeared to be backing down on Saturday night, after suspending Lineker for likening the language on government immigration policy to 1930s Germany. Davie said this was a breach of the BBC’s impartiality guidelines.
In an interview with the BBC, Davie was forced to deny that he had acted with partiality himself under pressure from the Government and said he was seeking a resolution to get Lineker back on air.
‘We are working very hard to resolve the situation and make sure we get output back on air,’ Davie said.
‘I don’t want to go into too much details about the discussion. Gary Lineker is a superb broadcaster, the best in the business, that’s not in debate. He is an outstanding broadcaster and success for me is Gary gets back on air.’
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