Premier League players 'planning to boycott BBC interviews'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 11 March 2023

Premier League players are reportedly discussing boycotting BBC interviews this weekend in support of removed Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.

Premier League players are reportedly in discussions to boycott interviews with the BBC in solidarity with axed Match of the Day host Gary Lineker.

The former England striker, who has fronted the long-running programme since 1999, was at the centre of controversy earlier this week for comments that he made on the Government's new immigration policy.

With the new measures aiming to crack down on asylum seekers arriving in the UK on small boats, Lineker tweeted that the Government's language was not dissimilar to that used by Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

The 62-year-old refused to apologise or backtrack, claiming that he did not regret sending the tweet, and the BBC subsequently announced that he had stepped back from his presenting duties.

However, it has since been claimed that Lineker was removed from his hosting role, with the BBC deeming his social media comments to have been a breach of their impartiality guidelines.

Since Lineker's removal, the presenter has received an outpouring of support from a plethora of pundits, including regular Match of the Day co-hosts Alan Shearer and Ian Wright, both of whom have refused to go on Saturday's show too.

Gary Lineker in his Match of the Day pomp © BBC

The likes of Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott and Micah Richards also have no intention of sitting in to present, while Steve Wilson has revealed that Match of the Day commentators will not take part either.

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

Now, The Mirror claims that players could also take a stand and refuse to speak with the BBC during this weekend's matches, and the PFA have been inundated with requests from athletes seeking support.

The association has reportedly reassured players that their decision to boycott interviews will be supported, as the BBC shifts focus on this weekend's Match of the Day to in-game action.

"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," a BBC spokesperson said.

"We understand their position and we have decided that the programme will focus on match action without studio presentation or punditry."

Lineker enjoyed a highly successful playing career with Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Everton, as well as scoring 48 goals in 80 games for England, and he is understood to have been paid circa £1.35m by the BBC in 2021-22.