Decision to remove Lineker from Match of the Day slammed as possible replacements revealed

The ex-Tottenham striker recently criticised the UK government's new asylum policy where he compared the language of the bill to 1930s Germany.

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It led to the BBC to announce that Lineker will be taking a 'step back' from his presenting role of the Saturday night Premier League round-up show - which he has done so since 1999.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright and the Premier League's all-time top scorer Alan Shearer then stated they will not feature on Match of the Day where they offer their analysis as pundits in solidarity to their colleague.

talkSPORT host and ex-England international Bent cannot understand BBC's decision, as he argued Lineker was expressing his freedom of speech.

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Speaking on Drive, the 39-year-old said: "It's bonkers isn't it? It's amazing what one tweet can do.

"All of a sudden social media has become so powerful, that people almost take it as gospel.

"But listen, if that's what he believes Gary Lineker, it's freedom of speech. What can I say about him?

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"Whether I agree with him or not, it's up to him. But the fact that Wighty has chosen to back him, he believes he is doing the right thing. So, that's BBC for you."

His co-host Andy Goldstein added: "I understand it, but it just feels like we are living in an age now where whatever you do is, 'sack him, get rid of him, take him off the tele.'"

To which Bent remarked: "There's a serious cancel culture at the minute right now that you have got to be so careful with what you're saying.

"Whatever you tweet, say, do, people are automatically like, 'sack him, cancel him', and that seems to be the norm nowadays.

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"So listen, it's just one of them unfortunately."

Matt Lawton, the chief football correspondent for The Times, then appeared on Drive, where he revealed who could stand in for Lineker in the foreseeable future.

He stated: "As I understand it, the BBC are now going to be frantically calling either Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, whoever, you name it, to try and get someone to step in now and host the show."

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Lawton continued: "I think they will feel the pressure [to turn down the opportunity].

"I think there will be an element of professionalism that will be required, if you work for the BBC and they say, 'We need you to do this', I don't think we will be looking at an empty seat tomorrow night.

"I don't envy whoever does step up and does this.

"I do wonder if we will see Gary Lineker back on Match of the Day again."

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Though Scott took to social media where where insisted that she will reject the chance to host Match of the Day.