Chelsea host Manchester United in the WSL on Sunday (Getty)
The BBC will have no presenters for the top-of-the-table Women’s Super League clash between Chelsea and Manchester United on Sunday due to the ongoing support for Gary Lineker.
Following the BBC’s decision to take Lineker off the air in response to his post on Twitter which compared the language used in a Home Office video on immigration policy with Nazi Germany, several presenters, pundits and commentators withdrew from participating on Saturday’s football shows.
Football Focus and Final Score were both replaced, while Match of the Day, which Lineker has hosted for over 22 years, was shortened to a 20-minute episode where only match highlights were shown with no commentary, analysis or post-match interviews with managers or players.
Speaking on Saturday evening, BBC director general Tim Davie made it clear that he is keen for Lineker to return.
‘Success for me is getting Gary back on air and together we are giving to the audiences that world-class sports coverage which, as I say, I’m sorry we haven’t been able to deliver today,’ Davie said.
Gary Lineker was taken off the BBC for Saturday’s Match of the Day show (Getty)
However, Sunday’s scheduling has also been impacted by the decision to axe Lineker as Chelsea’s WSL fixture against Manchester United, which is being broadcast live on BBC Two from 12:15, will have no presenters.
It’s understood that the BBC is seeking permission to use world feed commentary for the game.
Former Arsenal and England defender Alex Scott, who is one of the BBC’s main presenters for women’s football, announced on Saturday that she had withdrawn from hosting Football Focus.
‘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,’ Scott wrote on Twitter.
Kelly Somers, who is also a leading figure in the BBC’s women’s football coverage, also announced on Saturday that would not take part in any of the programmes.
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Chelsea’s clash with Manchester United at Kingsmeadow will undoubtedly be one of the key matches which decides the WSL title.
United currently sit a point clear of Chelsea at the top of the table but the reigning champions have a game in hand.
In the reverse fixture in November, Chelsea handed United their only defeat in the league this season as goals from Sam Kerr, Lauren James and Erin Cuthbert sealed a 3-1 win for Emma Hayes’ side.
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The support for Gary Lineker continues following the disruption to the BBC’s football scheduling on Saturday.