Alex Scott pulls out of Football Focus as BBC Gary Lineker row explodes
Alex Scott has pulled out of Football Focus in support of Gary Lineker
PA
Alex Scott has pulled out of presenting Football Focus, becoming the latest football pundit to take a stance in the ongoing brawl between Gary Lineker and the BBC.
Lineker has been embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum policy with 1930s Germany on Twitter.
The corporation said it had decided Lineker would take a break from presenting Match of the Day until an “agreed and clear position” on his use of social media had been reached.
In response, a number of high profile presenters announced they would not be appearing on the show in an act of solidarity with him.
Ian Wright and Alan Shearer both showed their support for the 62-year-old by refusing to go on air.
Now, Alex Scott has also announced she will not be appearing on Football Focus.
Alex Scott announced the news on Twitter, explaining that she hoped to be back presenting the show next week.
Twitter: Alex Scott
In a tweet, Scott explained: “I made a decision last night that even though I love my show and we have had an incredible week winning an SJA for football focus that it doesn’t feel right for me to go ahead with the show today.. Hopefully I will be back in the chair next week…."
Shortly after the announcement, presenter Kelly Somers announced: "Just to confirm I won’t be on BBC television today."
Reacting, GB News’ Stephen Dixon said: “There’s a lot of sympathy out there and I don’t know whether they should all just have their contracts cancelled because they haven’t showed up.”
Lineker has compared the government's language in its migrant bill as similar to 1930s GermanyPAYesterday, the BBC said it considered Lineker's comments to be a breach of the broadcaster's guidelines.
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
“The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match Of The Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.
“When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.
“We have never said that Gary should be an opinion-free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.”
Alex Scott's decision was met with a mixed response.
PA
Scott's decision to pull out was met with mixed response online.
One user praised her for making the decision, saying it was the right thing to do.
Angie Taylor tweeted: "Thank you for doing the right thing - I hope it all works out the right way in the end - so proud to see sportspeople standing up for what they believe in - we desperately need people at the top to help make positive change happen."
But Dave Wyatt criticised her privilege, suggesting the decision was out of touch, he said: "If I walked out of my job in support of a colleague I would have a disciplinary hearing and face possible termination of contract.
"Presenters are in a very privileged position and it doesn't take long to upset the general public"