Mark Chapman have stepped down from BBC 5 Live duty in further fallout from the broadcaster’s decision to pull Gary Lineker from Match of the Day.
Chapman, who also hosts Sunday’s Match of the Day 2 programme, had been scheduled to be on air this afternoon as part of 5 Live Sport’s coverage of Saturday’s football.
The Sun reports however the 49-year-old will not be on air today with the entire programme now at risk of being pulled.
5 Live Sport coverage did not start as midday as it is usually scheduled with a replay of the Footballers’ Football Podcast taking its place.
Former Premier League striker Dion Dublin, a regular on 5 Live coverage, has also confirmed he will not be involved, tweeting: ‘In solidarity with my BBC Sport colleagues NO 5 Live for me today.’
Colin Murray, who hosts Fighting Talk on 5, has also pulled out.
The BBC have already cancelled Saturday football shows Football Focus and Final Score in the wake of presenters, commentators and pundits standing with Lineker.
The former England international has been forced to withdraw from presenting flagship programme Match of the Day over a tweet which criticised the government’s new asylum policy.
Ian Wright was first to stand in solidarity with Lineker, followed by the likes of Alan Shearer, Alex Scott, Micah Richards and Jermaine Jenas.
Premier League players and manager will also not give interviews to Match of the Day.
A statement from the Professional Footballers’ Association read: ‘We have been informed that players involved in today’s game will not be asked to participate in interviews with Match of the Day.
‘The PFA have been speaking to member who wanted to take a collective position and to be able to show support for those who have chosen to be part of tonight’s programme.
‘During those conversations we made clear that, as their union, we would support all members who might face consequences for choosing not to complete their broadcast commitments.
‘This is a common sense decision that ensure players won’t now be put in that position.’
The BBC confirmed on Friday that Match of the Day will go ahead with no presenter or pundits with tonight’s broadcast consisting of just on-pitch highlights.
MORE : BBC News coverage interrupted by passer-by shouting ‘Bring back Gary Lineker’ in background
MORE : BBC cancels Football Focus as chaos over Gary Lineker row continues
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
