‘A Farce’ – ‘Match of the Day’ fans were ‘stunned’ by the bizarre commentary and expert-free highlights of the Lineker series

VIEWERS were torn as they watched the very different looking match of the day, which had no moderator, expert or commentators.

The popular show, which first aired on BBC in 1964, was broadcast tonight in a strange 20-minute format after the Gary Lineker tweet controversy erupted.

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The flagship program had no presenters, pundits or commentators after staff staged a mutiny in solidarity with Lineker’s suspension.

Co-hosts Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards refused to step in, plunging the show into crisis.

The show’s commentary team also stepped down – with the mild tones of Conor McNamara, Simon Brotherton and Robyn Cowen all falling silent.

Match Of The Day – which normally lasts 80 minutes – started at the usual time of 10.20pm but only showed the highlights of Premier League games in a largely silent presentation.

And Footy fans quickly took to Twitter after tuning in to give their reaction to the broadcast – which didn’t even include the iconic intro.

One fan wrote: “Even them Fit from the day Intro protests!”

Another asked: “Why am I sitting there commentating on the match of the day myself?”

“Match of the day without comment – what a farce,” explained another.

While another added: “Bit speechless watching the match of the day.”

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Lineker was pulled from the show, which he has hosted since 1999, on Friday after comparing the government’s illegal immigration law to “1930s Germany.”

The Sun on Sunday understands BBC boss Tim Davie is locked in a standoff with Mr Lineker, who refuses to back down in a row over his controversial tweets.

Crisis-stricken Davie told the BBC on Saturday there was “no way” he would be quitting amid a fallout that has brought the company to its knees.

Football Focus, Final Score, the Fighting Talk podcast and 5Live’s 606 football phone were all frozen as the staff riot brought schedules tumbling down.

It’s unclear if Match Of The Day 2 – which will air on Sunday – will take place.

Mr Davie described the looming disaster as a “difficult day” and apologized for the disruption to BBC sports programming.

Asked if he’s sorry for the way he’s handled the excitement, he told the BBC on Saturday: “We’ve made decisions and I’ve made decisions that are based on a real passion for what the BBC is and what it is is difficult.”

He insisted the series was about impartiality.

With his employer battling fires on all fronts, Mr Lineker took some time off today to watch his beloved Leicester City in action against Chelsea at the King Power Stadium.

The ex-England star was seen watching the Foxes alongside one of his sons – and appeared beaming despite his side’s 3-1 defeat.

The row was sparked when Mr Lineker reacted to a Twitter video of Home Secretary Suella Braverman presenting the government’s small boat plan.

The legislation provides that migrants are quickly arrested and deported within 28 days either to their country of origin or to a safe third country.

Sharing the clip, Mr Lineker said: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”

Responding to another user who described him as “out of order,” he added: “We take in far fewer refugees than other major European countries.

“This is just immeasurably cruel policy aimed at the most vulnerable, in language not dissimilar to the language used in Germany in the ’30s, and I’m out of order?”

In a statement following Mr Lineker’s suspension, the BBC explained that they had “detailed discussions” with the 62-year-old ex-England star following the uproar.

While the Beeb praised his sports coverage as “unmatched”, they said he should “stay away from taking sides on partisan issues”.

The crisis came to a head late on Saturday when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak waded into the row and said the presenter’s suspension was a problem for the BBC, not him.

Mr Sunak said the chaos was “rightfully a matter” for the BBC, not the government.

He added that while he respects government policy that “not everyone always agrees”, he praised Mr Lineker for being a “great footballer and talented presenter”.

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