MATCH OF THE DAY 2 TO AIR WITH REDUCED FORMAT

Match Of The Day 2 will air tonight (Sunday 12 March) with a much reduced format and without presenter, pundits or commentators.

Commentator Guy Mowbray said on Twitter: "As yesterday, there will be no ‘normal’ MOTD(2) programme tonight. The scheduled commentary team are in full agreement with our BBC Sport colleagues. We hope that a resolution can be found ASAP."

A BBC spokesperson this weekend: "The BBC will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that. We are sorry for these changes which we recognise will be disappointing for BBC sport fans. We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon."

It followed controversy over comments Gary made criticising the UK government's asylum policy this week on Twitter.

A BBC spokesperson said on Firday: "The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days. We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.

The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media. When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.

We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies."