(CNN)The BBC's weekend soccer coverage has been plunged into chaos following its announcement Gary Lineker would "step back" from presenting, after he became embroiled in an impartiality row when he criticized British government policy on Twitter.
The broadcaster now faces a boycott from pundits, presenters and even players of its flagship soccer show "Match of the Day," while other soccer programs -- Football Focus and Final Score -- and some radio programming have been forced off-air as a result of the furore.
Lineker criticized the government's controversial new asylum-seeker policy on Tuesday and was subsequently relieved of his presenting duties this week since the BBC said his tweets breached their guidelines, specifically its commitment to "due impartiality."
The BBC's decision has sparked controversy, leaving the organization under fire from opposition politicians, the Broadcasting Entertainment Communications and Theatre Union who represent BBC staff, and its former director general Greg Dyke.
"The BBC will only be able to bring limited sport programming this weekend and our schedules will be updated to reflect that," a BBC spokesperson said in a statement Saturday.
"We are sorry for these changes which we recognize will be disappointing for BBC sport fans.
"We are working hard to resolve the situation and hope to do so soon."