Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer ‘informs’ BBC of Match of the Day decision

The BBC programme will have no presenters or pundits when it airs on Saturday night. The move comes after the BBC announced Gary Lineker would be ‘stepping back’ from the programme following comments on his social media account.

Ian Wright, who was due to appear on Match of the Day alongside Lineker also announced he was not going to make an appearance on the programme, tweeting: ‘Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.’

Newcastle United’s club-record scorer Alan Shearer also took to Twitter to announce he wouldn’t make an appearance on the show either. He tweeted: ‘I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.’

BBC commentators have also informed the BBC that they will not appear on the show. A statement released by Steve Wilson read: "As commentators on MOTD, we have decided to step down from (Saturday'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.

"However, in the circumstances, we do not feel it would be appropriate to take part in the programme."

Regular pundits and presenters of Match of the Day, including the likes of Alex Scott, Mark Chapman, Jermain Jenas and Micah Richards, have also all refused to appear on the show, leading the BBC to make some major changes to the broadcast. Without pundits, presenters or commentators, the BBC announced that Saturday night’s show would ‘focus on match action’.

A BBC spokesperson 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."

Newcastle United were not due to be on Match of the Day on Saturday night with their game against Wolves scheduled for a 4:30pm kick-off on Sunday.