GB News has announced it will broadcast an “Alternative Match of the Day” tonight as the bitter row between the BBC and Gary Lineker continues.
The Alternative Match of the Day will air tonight from 10pm and will be hosted by Mark Dolan and Patrick Christys.
It promises to cater to the British public who “love their footy and just want to talk about goals!”
The BBC announced last night that Lineker would be taking a “step back” from presenting Match of the Day after he publicly criticised the Government’s latest attempt to stop migrant Channel crossings.
Mark Dolan and Patrick Christys will host an Alternative Match of the Day
GB News
The former England footballer compared the Government’s language to 1930s Germany and tore into the policy.
The BBC responded by saying it considered his decision to voice his opinion “a breach of our guidelines.”
It continued: “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.”
In response, a slew of BBC football pundits announced they would not be presenting in an act of solidarity with Lineker.
Alternative Match of the Day is live from 10pm
GB News
Ian Wright and Alan Shearer both showed their support for the 62-year-old by refusing to go on air.
Alex Scott also announced she will not be appearing on Football Focus.
Now, GB News’ Mark Dolan and Patrick Christys will step in to host an “Alternative Match of the Day”.
Previewing the show, Mark joined Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello on GB News Breakfast to share his excitement.
He said: “We're going to have alternative Match of the Day. As you know, we are the People's Channel and the people need commentary. They need punditry.
“Match of the Day clocks in at 7,000,000 viewers a week. So if the BBC will not serve that audience then GB News and Mark Dolan Tonight are happy to step in.
He joked: “I am Gary Lineker and to make it really feel like Match of the Day, GB News is going to pay me £1.3 million.”
Explaining how the show will look, Mark said: “So we won't be able to show live recorded footage of goals or anything like that. What we will have is top level punditry, so we will have an array of political free footballers.
“These are going to be commentators who are not interested in getting involved in government policy and understand that the British public love their footy and just want to talk about goals, goals, goals.
“We've got some big games, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Everton, Brentford, Tottenham. Forest and Palace, Man City.
“It's gonna be an all-star lineup. We're gonna have some fun. We're gonna talk about the football!”
GB News’ Alternative Match of the Day is live from 10pm tonight.
Tune in on TV, on radio and online. Freeview 236, Sky 512, Virgin 604 or stream via the GB News app.
