‘The BBC even broadcast this and have the audacity to call it Match of the Day is really shameful’: Fans slam ‘soulless’ Premier League highlights with no pundits or commentators as they demand ‘#BringBackGary’ after hack at the lineker air
- Sections of social media have criticized the BBC for broadcasting Match of the Day
- The BBC decided to go ahead with the Saturday show after sacking Gary Lineker.
- There are no pundits or match commentary in the football highlights episode.
The BBC has been criticized by disgruntled viewers on social media for its decision to broadcast Match of the Day on Saturday night without pundits, presenters or commentary.
The main presenter, Gary Lineker, was kicked off Saturday’s broadcast for a recent tweet that saw him compare the UK government’s planned policy on asylum seekers to ‘1930s Germany’.
His withdrawal from the show was followed by co-hosts and commentators refusing to appear on Saturday’s featured football show, with radio commentators and even some Premier League managers and players boycotting interviews with the organisation.
Now, social media is having their say after the rare action-only broadcast that saw a recap of six Premier League games, including Manchester City’s hard-fought win over Crystal Palace.
Lineker, who appeared at Leicester’s 3pm game against Chelsea, has received a lot of support for his actions, with some questioning the BBC’s decision to go ahead with broadcasting his latest episode of MOTD.
Gary Lineker has received support from disgruntled Match of the Day viewers on social media.
The BBC broadcast Saturday’s episode without pundits, presenters or match commentators.
The 62-year-old has been the iconic host since he first appeared as a guest in the 1990s, with some online supporters calling the publicly funded broadcaster “shameful”.
One post said: ‘The BBC even broadcast this and have the audacity to call it match of the day it’s really embarrassing.
Another mocked Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah after his missed penalty secured Bournemouth a famous win over the Reds, tweeting: ‘Match of the day no comment is just bias towards Liverpool fans! Now they only have to close their eyes when Salah takes his penalty.
Other comments saw some critics blast the show as ‘terrible’ with one user writing: ‘The ‘wanted’ version of Match of the Day! Terrible without prominent commentary, like the EFL. #BringBackGary’, while another chided the BBC for not canceling tonight’s show, tweeting: ‘BBC should have made the decision not to broadcast.
This is a barely believable shame. Like your coverage, I am totally speechless.
Others made their own comments about the ‘silent’ clips as they tried to poke fun at the bizarre showing of BBC football highlights on the grounds.
But some took a more serious tone, as one post called the MOTD ‘soulless’: ‘What is this? It has to be the most soulless MOTD show ever broadcast, not even the match commentary.
More damning posts followed, as another pointed out that the show was missing its iconic theme, saying: ‘Pathetic effort. Too embarrassed to even play the music. #DavieResign #BringBackGary
While a final commenter listed a number of complaints on the show’s broadcast, he wrote online: “It’s weird, it’s wrong and it’s ruined Saturday night.”