After decades as one of the BBC’s leading sports presenters, soccer icon Gary Lineker will leave the network after posting anti-semitic tropes online. Despite the BBC’s reputation for criticizing Israel, this marks a significant chapter closing in British media. An official announcement was expected within days after reports that the soccer star-turned-broadcaster will soon part ways with the network.
At 64, Lineker, once a star on England’s national football team, has been the face of the celebrated program Match of the Day and is widely regarded as the BBC’s highest-paid presenter. While he had already stated his intention to step down from hosting the show at the end of the current season, many anticipated he would continue to play a key role in covering major events such as the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup.
However, his departure is intertwined with the backlash he faced last week after posting pro-Palestinian content on Instagram regarding the situation in Gaza. The post, which featured an image of a rat—a symbol with longstanding antisemitic connotations—was attributed to the group "Palestine Lobby" and titled “Zionism Explained in Two Minutes.” The ensuing uproar across social media led BBC executives to reconsider his position within the organization.
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The controversy extended beyond social media, eliciting strong reactions from figures in British politics and media. Danny Cohen, who previously served as the BBC’s director of television, remarked, “It seems as though Lineker shared propaganda reminiscent of Nazi Germany. It’s shocking.” Similarly, Lord Austin, a former Labour member of the House of Lords, stated, “He crossed all red lines,” and had already called for Lineker's dismissal.
Lineker quickly issued an apology, expressing regret for sharing the post and explaining that he was unaware of the image’s implications. He deleted the post as soon as he realized its potential antisemitic associations. Still, the BBC leadership was reportedly incensed. Tim Davie, the network’s director-general, addressed the issue, saying, “The BBC’s reputation is the responsibility of all of us, and when someone makes a mistake, we all pay the price.”
This is not the first time Lineker has faced criticism for his activity on social media. Back in March 2023, he was temporarily suspended after a tweet in which he compared the language used by the British government in its asylum policies to that of 1930s Germany. That same year, he deleted another tweet calling for Israel’s exclusion from international soccer, following sharp criticism from Members of Parliament.
Although the BBC has yet to officially confirm Lineker’s departure, it has already announced that next season’s Match of the Day will be hosted by Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan. In earlier interviews, Lineker hinted at his plans to shift his focus toward podcasting and step away from television. “I think I’ll move more in that direction,” he said.