Gary Lineker row: BBC schedule hit by extra disruption as more presenters pull out

BBC presenter Alex Scott has said she will not host one of the broadcaster's main soccer programmes on Saturday, throwing the corporation’s sporting timetable into further disarray.

The former Arsenal star said “it doesn’t feel right for me to go ahead” with presenting Football Focus as she joined a number of presenters pulling out of BBC shows after pundit Gary Lineker was told to step back from hosting the flagship soccer programme Match Of The Day in a row over impartiality.

The broadcaster has not yet confirmed if Football Focus, which is due to air at noon on Saturday, has been officially cancelled.

I made a decision last night that even though I love doing football focus and we have had an incredible week winning an SJA award that it just doesn’t feel right going ahead with the show today. Hopefully I will be back in the chair next week…

— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) March 11, 2023

Former England player Scott wrote on Twitter: “I made a decision last night that even though I love my show and we have had an incredible week winning an SJA for football focus that it doesn’t feel right for me to go ahead with the show today.

“Hopefully I will be back in the chair next week.”

Kelly Somers also confirmed she will not be presenting any BBC show on Saturday, after former England footballers and MOTD regulars Alan Shearer and Ian Wright announced on Friday night they would be boycotting the programme in solidarity with Lineker.

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

The former Brighton striker tweeted: “Was meant to be up in Media City today but reflecting last night I felt it was the right thing to do to step away from Focus & Score today.

Was meant to be up in Media City