BBC axes Football Focus and Final Score from Saturday schedule after presenters Alex Scott and Jason Mohammad pulled out and others refused to fill in... amid a backlash at the decision to pull Gary Lineker from Match of the Day

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Football Focus and Final Score will not air on Saturday as they are shelved by BBC bosses amid a mass boycott in solidarity with Gary Lineker.

The presenter, 62, became embroiled in a row over impartiality after comparing the language used to launch a new Government asylum policy with 1930s Germany on Twitter.

Earlier on Friday the BBC announced that Lineker would take a break from presenting Match of the Day.

Sportsmail now understands 5 Live Sport on Saturday afternoon is also under threat.

Regulars Ian Wright and Alan Shearer quickly stepped down from their punditry roles in support of Lineker, prompting mass walkouts from fellow pundits, commentators and even players. 

BBC football presenter Alex Scott then said she will not be presenting Football Focus on Saturday.

Earlier on Friday the BBC announced that Gary Lineker would take a break from presenting Match of the Day

BBC football presenter and former England player Alex Scott then said she will not be presenting Football Focus on Saturday

The former England international, who has hosted the show since May 2021, told the broadcaster last night that she would be suspending hosting duties

The former England international, who has hosted the show since May 2021, told the broadcaster last night that she would be suspending hosting duties in a show of solidarity with Lineker.

She tweeted: '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.'

Scott's role was said to being handed over to Kelly Somers, a presenter and commentator for the broadcaster, in the interim.

But Somers later denied that via Twitter, saying: 'Just to confirm I won't be on BBC television today'. 

Jason Mohammad, host of Final Score, has also pulled out tweeting: 'As you know, Final Score is a TV show very close to my heart.

'I have this morning informed the BBC that I will not be presenting the show this afternoon on BBC One.'

Pundit Glenn Murray will also not be appearing on Football Focus and Final Score on Saturday.

The former Brighton striker tweeted: 'Was meant to be up in Media City today but reflecting last night I felt it was the right thing to do to step away from Focus & Score today.

'Hoping normal service resumes next week.'

Scott's role was said to being handed over to Kelly Somers, a presenter and commentator for the broadcaster, in the interim. But Somers later denied that via Twitter

Jason Mohammad, host of Final Score, has also pulled out tweeting: 'As you know, Final Score is a TV show very close to my heart'

Pundit Glenn Murray will also not be appearing on Football Focus and Final Score on Saturday

Match of the Day has been thrown into chaos in the wake of Lineker's suspension of duties

A contributor to the show, Marc Webber, revealed they too would be showing support of Lineker.

He posted on Twitter: 'As Final Score reporters, we have decided to stand down from our duties today in solidarity with Gary Lineker. As a result, no Final Score will be broadcast today.

'We all love the BBC and are proud to work for such a great broadcaster. More importantly, we consider it an absolute honour to keep people up to date on football on a Saturday at 3pm.

'A lot of work had already gone into today's show. Many of us are freelancers - only paid per game. We have made a salary sacrifice today.

'But I can't stand by and see a colleague unsupported like this for a personal opinion which did not break BBC Editorial Guidelines.

'Please also be kind to other BBC Sport colleagues who will still be working because they will not have the luxury of choice we have.'

He added: 'Match fee gone and I’d already paid my expenses. I won’t be claiming them against BBC Sport as this is not the fault of my wonderful colleagues who work in that department so I don’t want them to have the hassle.'

It comes as the Premier League informed clubs that players and managers would be stood down from their post-match Match of the Day and BBC TV commitments during a chaotic Friday night.

Sportsmail understands, however, that - for the time being - the BBC's Radio Five Live coverage will not be impacted.

It emerged on Saturday morning that the BBC had informed the Premier League that the 12 clubs playing today would not receive requests for interviews.

Gary Lineker was told that he either had to stop his politicised posts or quit the BBC altogether

PFA Spokesperson: 'We have been informed that players involved in today's games will not be asked to participate in interviews with Match of the Day. 

'The PFA have been speaking to members who wanted to take a collective position and to be able to show their support for those who have chosen not 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 ensures players won't now be put in that position.'