Gary Lineker has returned to television for the first time since being accused of sharing an ‘anti-Semitic’ social media post that left him apologising and BBC viewers calling for him to leave the broadcaster immediately.
The long-standing sports broadcaster was 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’. It came after images of rat and vermin were widely used as propaganda against Jews in 1930s Nazi Germany.
The former England striker will leave his role as presenter of Match of the Day at the end of the season, but is due to host the corporation’s coverage of the FA Cup in 2025-26 and the World Cup in 2026.
And 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.
Gary Lineker has returned to TV screens for the first time since sharing an ‘anti-Semitic’ social media post
Lineker presented the FA Cup final from Wembley alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney (second left)
Lineker had shared on Instagram a reel originating 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
It is thought that BBC colleagues are ‘annoyed’ with Lineker over the post controversy, according to an insider who spoke to The Times.
The source said: ‘He is hosting the Cup final this weekend but beyond that we don’t know at this stage.
‘Staff are annoyed with him after this week — and he is annoyed with himself too.’
Lineker, who was paid £1.4million by the BBC last year, had 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.
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.
BBC presenter Gary Lineker apologised after sharing the post by a pro-Palestine group on social media
Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, responded to a question on Wednesday over whether Mr Lineker had broken corporation rules (file image)
‘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.’
Some reports – which were not denied by senior sources – have suggested his position with the BBC is now tenuous.
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.’
Lineker is presenting the FA Cup final on BBC One, which will be contested by Manchester City and Crystal Palace
On the subject of October 7 he said it was ‘inevitable’ the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land would ’cause massive problems’.
An early exit from the BBC, meanwhile, would deny Lineker the opportunity to bow out at next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico as he is already due to host his final Match of the Day programme after 26 years as host next weekend.
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’.
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.
Gary Lineker is due to step down as Match Of The Day presenter at the end of this season but will present BBC coverage of next year’s World Cup
‘But for it to come so soon after the social media controversy makes it a real problem for him.’
Another senior BBC staffer alleged the comments had heightened tension in Salford’s Media City, where BBC Sport is based.
The source said: ‘The agreement that Gary would step back from the BBC after the World Cup seemed like a very sensible decision all round but after this week another year starts to feel like a really long time.
‘Alex’s background is not in TV but he is surrounded by experienced people who know what they are doing. Gary’s behaviour is starting to wear a bit thin. That is what is damaging staff and the wider organisation. We’ve got enough to be getting on with.’
Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, responded to a question on Wednesday over whether Mr Lineker had broken corporation rules, following a landmark speech in Salford.
He said: ‘The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.
‘We absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.’
