11 March 2023 , 06:27
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Premier League players are in talks to boycott BBC media duties over the government language around migrants and Gary Lineker’s suspension from Match of the Day for calling it out.
After hours of pundits and hosts ruling themselves out of being involved in the show on Friday, the BBC were forced to abandon the normal programme format as they were unable to find anyone willing to go on. After pundits Ian Wright and Alan Shearer showed their solidarity for Lineker, a string of show regulars indicated they would do likewise if they were asked to sit in, including Alex Scott, Micah Richards and Jermaine Jenas.
Now current Premier League players are discussing ways to show their solidarity with many already vocal about xenophobia and discrimination in society.
The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) has been contacted by so many players that it has made clear to that it will support anyone unwilling to speak to the BBC before and after matches this weekend. Six Premier League games are scheduled for today with another four on Sunday.
A growing number of players are understood already to have sought advice from the PFA, leading to the body to take a position to reassure all players that it will be fully behind them.
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The Mirror has launched a petition to have Gary Lineker reinstated at the BBC and as the host of Match of the Day. Sign it here.
Players up and down the country have for many years been involved in schemes to help and give a voice to the kind of communities affected and demonised by the government’s language around people arriving in the UK.
It comes as BBC Commentators joined the boycott of Match of the Day on Friday night. One of them, respected Steve Wilson, tweeted: “As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to step down from tomorrow night’s broadcast. “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.
The BBC's decision to remove Gary Lineker from Match of the Day has been met with a major backlash (Getty Images)“However, in the circumstances, we do not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme.”
It leaves the BBC in a nightmare position as participation in one of its most established brands of all time becomes synonymous with backing a ban on anyone opposing xenophobic language from the government.
In a statement late on Friday night the BBC said: “Some of our pundits have said that they don’t wish to appear on the programme while we seek to resolve the situation with Gary.
“We understand their position and we have decided that the programme will focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry.”
The Mirror has launched a petition to have Gary Lineker reinstated at the BBC and as the host of Match of the Day. Sign it here.