Gary Lineker to leave BBC after controversy over pro-Palestine post
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Gary Lineker will leave the BBC this weekend following backlash over a pro-Palestine social media post and allegations of antisemitic content.
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BBC Sports pundit Gary Lineker speaks following the FA Cup final soccer match at Wembley Stadium in London on May 17, 2025 (AP)
Gary Lineker will depart the BBC this weekend, it was confirmed on Monday, just days after he issued an apology for sharing social media content with alleged "antisemitic" overtones, The Guardian reported.
Lineker, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, had been set to host coverage of the 2026 World Cup and next season’s FA Cup. However, ongoing internal backlash over his online post led to a mutual decision to end his presenting duties early. He will host his final episode of Match of the Day this weekend.
“Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made,” Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, stated.
On his part, Lineker said that "football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio."
Social media controversy and apology
He indicated that he "would never consciously repost anything antisemitic" but acknowledged the "error and upset" he caused, reiterating his apologies and calling his withdrawal the "responsible course of action."
Last week, the 64-year-old apologized when it was discovered that he had liked a pro-Palestine video on Instagram that attacked Zionism and featured an illustration of a rat. Lineker has 1.2 million followers on the network.
According to The Guardian, a rat is an antisemitic metaphor employed in Nazi Germany to depict Jews as vermin. Lineker stated in a statement that he would "never knowingly share anything antisemitic" and that he deleted the message "as soon as I became aware of the issue."
Past tensions between Lineker and the BBC
BBC leadership was visibly frustrated over Lineker’s recent actions, with Davie facing pressure to dismiss him. Davie emphasized the importance of upholding the BBC’s values, particularly on social media. As Lineker departs, Match of the Day will move into a new era, with Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates, and Mark Chapman set to share hosting duties next season.
Lineker’s departure follows a rocky relationship with the BBC in recent years, including a temporary suspension in March 2023 over criticism of the UK government's asylum policy.
Earlier this year, he also joined calls for the BBC to reinstate a Gaza documentary it had pulled after it claimed the narrator had ties to the Palestinian Resistance.
