Why isn't Gary Lineker hosting Match of the Day tonight? Presenter absent from the program after being 'silenced'

When fans settle in to watch Game of the Day on Saturday, they will quickly realize that Gary Lineker will not be hosting the show.

The iconic presenter is the face of MOTD but he will be absent this weekend for the famous first division highlight show.

Lineker announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he will watch it from home because it is 'muted'…

But it's not as sinister as it seems, as he later confirmed that he had, in fact, been silenced due to a cold.

He wrote: “Good news for some: I have been silenced… by a terrible cold that seems to last forever. Hate to miss hosting @BBCMOTD but I'll be watching.”

first Tottenham, leicester and Barcelona The striker has presented the show since 1999 and is a staple of the BBC's football coverage.

However, it will not be part of the Saturday night program, as highlights of city ​​of manchester vs Everton, Liverpool vs BurnleyTottenham vs Brighton and all the others will be broadcast.

The day's match will begin at 10:30pm on BBC One with Lineker taking over.

In his place, well-known broadcaster Mark Chapman, who normally presents Match of the Day 2 every Sunday, will host the show.

Chapman has presented the MOTD supporting show for over a decade and is often the first backup option in case Lineker is unable to present.