Alan Shearer and Ian Wright returned to their punditry roles on Premier League coverage of Fulham vs Arsenal having snubbed Match of the Day on Saturday (March 11).
The Newcastle hero and Arsenal icon were swift to withdraw their services from the BBC highlights package after Gary Lineker was made to ‘step away’ for his criticism of the government’s controversial asylum policy.
Taking to Twitter as they worked with Jules Breach on Premier League productions, Shearer wrote: “Hellllooooo @IanWright0!! @premierleague tv today with @julesbreach and Wrighty!!!”
READ MORE: Lizzie Cundy says she’s ‘better looking than Gary Lineker’ as she ‘auditions’ for MOTD
The duo watched on as Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal went five points clear at the top with a routine 3-0 victory, which is set to be shown without commentary of Match of the Day 2 this evening.
Shearer said on social media after the news of Lineker’s suspension was made public: “I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.”
Wright added: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.”
Do you want Gary Lineker to return to our screens next weekend? Tell us in the comments section below.
(Image: Premier League)
With the Arsenal icon later adding on his Wrighty’s House podcast: “I tell you something if they do, the BBC, get rid of Gary Lineker, I am out, I’m gone, I’m not staying there.
“On his own platform he should be able to say what he wants to say. Gary Lineker, he says stuff on everything and it’s almost like this one has missed everybody because he says so much.
“But this is so right with what he’s saying. I’ve spoken to Gary. I’m behind him.”
(Image: Getty Images)
With viewers already expecting no presenter, pundits or commentators on Saturday evening, the biggest shock came when the theme tune was skipped entirely for a shot of the Bournemouth and Liverpool club badges.
Billed as simply ‘Premier League Highlights’ the crowd noise provided the only solace during the awkward broadcast.
One fan said: “This is such a strange block of TV. No commentary, no announcer, not even an opening theme. Just awkward crowd noises. It’s so awkward.”
READ NEXT: