Gary Lineker has “apologised unreservedly” after being criticised for sharing a social media post about Zionism that included an illustration of a rat.
“On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references,” he said in a statement. “I very much regret these references.
“I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.” The Match of the Day presenter said he deleted the post “as soon as I became aware of the issue”.
A rat has historically been used as an antisemitic insult, referring to language used by Nazi Germany to characterise Jews.
“Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters,” Lineker continued.
“I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.
“It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.”
On Tuesday, the Match of the Day host deleted an Instagram story post he shared from the group Palestine Lobby, which said: “Zionism explained in two minutes” and featured a rat.
Zionism refers to the movement to create a Jewish state in the Middle East, roughly corresponding to the historical land of Israel, and thus support for the modern state of Israel.
The Campaign Against Antisemitism has called for Lineker to be sacked, saying: “The has turned a blind eye for too long, it is long past time for him to go, and he must go now.”
Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said the presenter’s “empty and belated apology is the first after years of baiting the Jewish community, just as levels of antisemitism soar”.
“His use of social media has been unacceptable for too long,” he added.
“It is high time that the licence-fee payer ceases to be obliged to subsidise and amplify his bile.”
Lineker’s apology came hours after the ‘s director general reminded stars to follow the corporation’s social media rules and avoid damaging “mistakes”, after the criticism of Lineker’s post.
Asked whether the post had broken guidelines, Tim Davie said: “The ‘s reputation is held by everyone, and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.
“I think we absolutely need people to be exemplars of the values and follow our social media policy. It’s as simple as that.”
The former England striker has attracted criticism before for his posts on social media in the past.
He was temporarily suspended from the in March 2023 after an impartiality row over a post in which he said language used to promote a government asylum policy was “not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s”.
The ‘s social media rules were then rewritten to say presenters of flagship programmes outside news and current affairs – including Match of the Day – have “a particular responsibility to respect the ‘s impartiality, because of their profile on the “.
In November 2024, Lineker announced his departure from Match of the Day, but he will remain with the to front FA Cup and World Cup coverage.
