MotD commentators 'step down' and players plan boycott as Gary Lineker row backlash becomes 'unmanageably big' for BBC

Tonight's Match Of The Day (MotD) will go ahead without a presenter, pundits and several regular commentators, as the fallout over Gary Lineker’s suspension from the show becomes "unmanageably big for the BBC". And players are reportedly planning to boycott the BBC when it comes to post match interviews, to show their support for the former England striker.

Former England footballers and MOTD regulars including Alan Shearer and Ian Wright had already announced they would be boycotting the show in solidarity with Lineker.

Late on Friday evening several of the show’s commentators shared a joint statement online, announcing they would also be stepping down from Saturday’s broadcast. “As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to step down from tomorrow night’s broadcast,” the statement read.

“We are comforted that football fans who want to watch their teams should still be able to do so, as management can use World Feed commentary if they wish. However, in the circumstances, we do not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme.”

The statement was shared by MOTD commentators including Steve Wilson, Conor McNamara, Robyn Rowen and Steven Wyeth. In a previous statement the BBC said the show would “focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry” saying it understood the position of its presenters.

Emily Maitlis said the fallout from the suspension of Lineker was getting “unmanageably big for the BBC now”. The former Newsnight host retweeted the commentators' statement.

Former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel said the punditry segment of Match Of The Day being cancelled is “incredible”. He said on Twitter: “So the BBC launched a war without a battle plan.”

Lineker, 62, became embroiled in a row over