BBC set to continue with reduced programme for Sunday football schedule

Chelsea face Manchester United in the Women's Super League on BBC Two

Several pundits, commentators and presenters pulled out of their duties in support of Gary Lineker after the Match of the Day host was asked to step down from his role as host of the football highlights show after the corporation took issue with a tweet he published about migrant workers, and comparing the current government policy to that of Germany’s in the 1930s.

After refusing to make an apologetic statement, the BBC made the decision to remove Lineker from the programme.

As a result, Saturday's football coverage was heavily reduced with Football Focus and Final Score taken off air while Match of the Day featured significantly less coverage than usual.

Match of the Day 2 will also get the same treatment, with nothing more than just highlights of the games played, with no presenters or commentary.

Chelsea's top of the table clash against Man United will also be disrupted on Sunday.

Alex Scott and Kelly Somers - the two flagship presenters for women's football coverage on the BBC - have both confirmed that they will not be working to show solidarity with Lineker.

Eilidh Barbour, another BBC presenter, also liked the tweets, inciting that she will also be taking the same stance.

A win for Chelsea will see them leapfrog their opponents and take top spot in the Women's Super League as Emma Hayes' side look to retain the title once more.

Related links:

• Gary Lineker ‘cried’ after public support from Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, son reveals

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hits out at BBC over Gary Lineker controversy

BBC urged to explain why Gary Lineker is ‘restrained but Alan Sugar seems not to be’