Match of the Day 2 decision taken amid ongoing Gary Lineker BBC crisis

Match of the Day 2 is set to follow a reduced format for tonight's show, it is understood.

The programme will become the latest to be impacted by presenters, pundits and commentators downing tools in support of Match of the Day host Gary Lineker and the ongoing row with the BBC. The former England striker was suspended for comparing the language around Home Secretary Suella Braverman's 'cruel' migrant policy with that of 1930s Germany on Twitter.

It's prompted a host of stars pull out of planned BBC coverage over the weekend. Saturday's Match Of The Day aired for only 20 minutes and did not include commentary or analysis – instead broadcasting just brief highlight clips of the day’s matches.

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And Match of the Day 2 is set to follow a similar reduced format. BBC Sports Editor Dan Roan and Sky Sports' Pien Meulensteen both tweeted on Sunday afternoon to say as much, meaning there will be no analysis of Manchester United's Premier League clash with Southampton on the programme.

Uncertainty over Match Of The Day 2 grew on Saturday after main presenter Mark Chapman was absent from his BBC radio duties and Jermain Defoe announced he had pulled out of appearing as a pundit on the highlights show.

As well as United, Premier League leaders Arsenal are in action at Fulham while West Ham take on Aston Villa and Wolves host Newcastle United in Sunday's other top flight fixtures. Radio 5 Live’s coverage was radically altered throughout the day on Saturday and there was a change to its Sunday schedules too, with its usual ‘Premier League Sunday’ show from midday to 2pm replaced by episodes of Sport’s Strangest Crimes.

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