11 March 2023 , 08:30
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Piers Morgan has accused the BBC of "losing its mind" over its latest decision to air Match Of The Day without any presenters.
It comes after Ian Wright, Jermaine Jenas, Alan Shearer, Alex Scott, Micah Richards and Mark Chapman all vowed to boycott the programme following Gary Lineker's suspension.
On Friday, a spokesperson for the publicly-funded organisation confirmed on Friday that Lineker would not be presenting Match Of The Day until an agreement has been made regarding his future use of social media.
The former GMB host, who has been vocal about his support for free speech and has condemned the BBC for its reaction to the dispute, suggested that all Match Of The Day crew might as well "walk out right now".
Earlier this week, Lineker described the government's new Migration Bill as "beyond awful" after it was unveiled by home secretary Suella Braverman on Tuesday, later adding: "This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s."
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Gary Lineker won't be appearing on Match Of The Day tonight (BBC/Pete Dadds)
Piers Morgan has slammed the decision by the BBC (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)Speaking on Channel 5 about his suspension, Lineker said: "They've told me I have to step back."
Following the news on Friday evening that there would be no presenters for Match Of The Day on Saturday, Piers tweeted two crying laughing emojis and wrote: "WHAT? The BBC has lost its mind. The whole production crew should walk out now."
A BBC spokesperson had 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.
He let rip in a series of tweets“We understand their position and we have decided that the programme will focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry.”
Piers also criticised the BBC's decision to not broadcast an episode of a David Attenborough programme over fears its content - which has themes of the destruction of nature - would spark a backlash from Tory politicians and the rightwing press.
He tweeted in response: "What the hell is going on at the BBC?"
The presenter also reminisced on his GMB firing after one follower asked: "Piers were you disappointed when none of your colleagues didn't present the day after you left GMB?"
"Would have been nice to see the same solidarity…" he replied.
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.