Gary Lineker is set to set to step down from the BBC tomorrow over antisemitism allegations and will not helm the broadcaster’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup.
The long-standing sports broadcaster was widely condemned for his now-deleted Instagram video story that prompted backlash from sections of the Jewish community.
The post featured a pro-Palestine video featuring an anti-Jewish rat slur, with the Match of the Day presenter insisting he would ‘never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic’.
Lineker, 64, apologised unreservedly for the ‘mistake’ saying ‘that image does not reflect my views’.
The image of rats and vermin are considered provocative since they were widely used as propaganda against Jews in 1930s Nazi Germany.
The former England striker was already set to leave his role as presenter of Match of the Day at the end of the season, but will now no longer host the corporation’s coverage of the FA Cup in 2025-26 and the World Cup in 2026.
On Saturday afternoon, he took to TV screens across the country again to front coverage of the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Crystal Palace from Wembley alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney.
Lineker, who was paid £1.4million by the BBC last year, shared the post, originally uploaded by another account, as it featured a critique of Zionism – the belief that an ethnocultural state should be established for Jewish people through the colonisation of Palestine.
Gary Lineker is set to set to step down from the BBC tomorrow over antisemitism allegations and will not helm the broadcaster’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup
Lineker shared a now-deleted reel on Instagram which originated with pro-Palestine group Palestine Lobby
Among the Nazis’ depictions of Jewish people as rats was this poster produced by Adolf Hitler’s regime during their 1940s occupation of Denmark
The BBC stalwart has previously been vocal with his views on the Israeli invasion of Gaza following the October 7 attacks – among other issues – but is not thought to have ever publicly apologised for content he has shared.
Mr Lineker refused to say sorry in 2023 for comparing the then-government’s rhetoric over its immigration policy to that of Nazi Germany.
The remark triggered a BBC suspension but this was lifted when colleagues walked out in support of the presenter.
On Wednesday, however, the former England captain said: ‘On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references.
‘I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic. It goes against everything I believe in.
‘The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue.
‘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.
‘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.’
Gary Lineker returned to TV screens for the first time on Saturday to host the FA Cup final after apologising for sharing an ‘anti-Semitic’ social media post
The long-standing sports presenter was at the helm of Match of the Day for 25 seasons but was due to step down at the end of this season even prior to this latest controversy
Lineker has been repeatedly outspoken on the Israel-Palestine conflict, something that has caused controversy within the BBC
In an interview with the Telegraph this week, Mr Lineker described what is going on in Gaza as ‘beyond depraved.’
He said: ‘We still seem to be on the side of the people who are doing this. We’re still supplying arms.
‘And you think, “Wow, how?” The vast majority of people see it for what it is now.’
In an interview with the Telegraph this week, Mr Lineker described what is going on in Gaza as ‘beyond depraved.’
He said: ‘We still seem to be on the side of the people who are doing this. We’re still supplying arms.
‘And you think, “Wow, how?” The vast majority of people see it for what it is now.’
On the subject of October 7 he said it was ‘inevitable’ the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land would ’cause massive problems’.
The 64-year-old added fuel to the fire earlier this week over an unrelated issue – as he appeared to take a swipe at the BBC’s director of sport as of last year, Alex Kay-Jelski, saying he ‘wants to change Match of the Day a bit’.
Footballer turned presenter Gary Lineker on Match of the Day in 1999 – his first season in the role he held for 25 years
Lineker was widely praised for his heroic performance in the 1990 World Cup (pictured here in the quarter final against Cameroon) as England reached the semi-final before being beaten on penalties by Germany
Lineker poses with the Premier League trophy shortly before starting his stint as presenter of Match of the Day in 1999
He told Telegraph Sport: ‘I think [a regime change] has [happened], and that’s what I was alluding to [in an earlier interview].
‘He has his reasons, he wants to change Match of the Day a bit. Ultimately, I don’t think they will, because I don’t see how you move a highlights show away from being about highlights.
‘I think he wants more journalists – he has come from that background. He has got no television experience.’
One BBC staff member claimed the combination of sharing the rat emoji and making the comments about Kay-Jelski could prove lethal.
They said: ‘That is being seen as a real dig at the head of sport, which you just don’t do.
‘But for it to come so soon after the social media controversy makes it a real problem for him.’
Having made his name at Leicester City, where he played between 1978 and 1985, Lineker went on to play for Everton and Spurs before earning a big-money £2.8million move to Barcelona.
Lineker made his England debut in 1984, earning 80 internationals caps and scoring 48 goals over an eight-year international career.
That puts him forth in England’s list of all-time record goalscorers, after Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton.
The BBC confirmed in November 2024 that Lineker would be stepping down from Match of the Day at the end of this season after 26 years in the job.
