BBC apologises for disarray to sport coverage due to Gary Lineker walkouts

The BBC has apologised for the changes to this weekend’s sporting schedule and said it is “working hard to resolve the situation and hopes to do so soon”.

The broadcaster’s radio and TV timetables have been left in disarray as a series of presenters pulled out of shows after Gary Lineker was told to step back from hosting Match of the Day in a row over impartiality.

A spokesperson said: “The BBC will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that.

“We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.

“We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon.”

Match of the Day (MOTD) is due to air on Saturday night without a presenter or commentators after Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out of the show.

Wright said his actions were in solidarity with Lineker and he later added he would quit the show “if they [the BBC] get rid of Lineker”.

MOTD would “focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry”, the BBC said.

On Saturday, BBC Radio 5 Live’s sport schedule was also disrupted.

TV and radio shows including Football Focus, Final Score and Fighting Talk were pulled.

Presenter Alex Scott said it did not “feel right” for her to go ahead with Football Focus. Jason Mohammed, presenter of Final Score, also said he would not appear on Saturday’s show.

Jermaine Defoe pulled out of Sunday’s Match of the Day 2 and commentator Dion Dublin said he would not be appearing on 5 Live as a mark of solidarity with his “BBC Sport colleagues”.

Glenn Murray pulled out of appearing on Football Focus and Final Score in Saturday.

Some football teams also decided to boycott the BBC. Bristol Rovers and Forest Green