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MATCH OF THE Day presenter Gary Lineker has apologised for the “hurt and upset caused” by a social media post he shared and confirmed that he will leave the BBC this week.
The 64-year-old has hosted Match Of The Day since 1999, when he took over from Des Lynam, and announced he would be stepping down from the BBC last year.
His departure comes after he “apologised unreservedly” for re-sharing and then deleting a post on his Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby, illustrated with an emoticon of a rat, which prompted calls for him to be sacked from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).
The post on Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby illustrated with a picture of a rat was titled: “Zionism explained in two minutes.”
The Zionist movement emerged in central and eastern Europe in the 19th century with the aim of establishing a homeland for the Jewish people in the area that corresponded to the historic Land of Israel.
In an Instagram video today, Lineker confirmed that he will host his final Match of the Day on Sunday and will not now front BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup, or coverage of the FA Cup next season, as had been previously announced.
Referencing the social media post, Lineker said: “Unfortunately, I did not see the emoji. If I had, I would never, ever have shared it. The minute I was made aware, I quickly deleted the post and went on to make an apology.”
He added: “I would like once again to say I’m sorry, unreservedly, for the hurt and upset caused, it was a genuine mistake and oversight, but I should have been more diligent, I know that.
“I’ve stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and against all forms of racism all of my life, including, of course, antisemitism, which I absolutely abhor. There’s no place for it and never should be.”
Lineker said that it was “best for all concerned that I step down from BBC presenting duties altogether and not do next season’s FA Cup or World Cup, the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will be my last show.
It’s been a pleasure and a huge privilege working with the BBC for 30 years, especially hosting Match of the Day, a programme that is so close to my heart and an integral part of my life.
His statement followed reports that the BBC’s bosses now considered his position “untenable”.
Lineker said the relationship with the BBC had been “long and wonderful”, adding it was “the right time for the organisation and myself to go our separate ways”.
In a statement, BBC director general Tim Davie said: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.”
Davie said Lineker had been “a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades” and that his passion of 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.”
In the wake of his departure, the vice president of the Board Of Deputies Of British Jews, Andrew Gilbert, called on the BBC to implement antisemitism training for all of its staff.
“We had called for his departure and welcome this outcome. This incident further underscores the importance and urgency of implementing antisemitism training for all BBC staff,” he said.
Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-British government’s new asylum policy.
He was also among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC to rebroadcast a documentary, Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone, to BBC iPlayer.
He came under fire last week after he shared, then deleted, the post on his Instagram account from the group Palestine Lobby illustrated with a picture of a rat, titled: “Zionism explained in two minutes.”
Last November, Lineker announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day at the end of the season, but would still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage.
The presenter has been the BBC’s highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years and was estimated to have earned £1.35 million in the year 2023-24, according to the corporation’s annual report published in July.
When he stepped down, it was reported that he was open to staying on at Match Of The Day but was not offered a new deal for the show.
The Leicester-born star will be replaced by Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman, who will share the presenting role on Match Of The Day from the next Premier League season.
Lineker joined the programme having started as a BBC Radio Five Live presenter, also working on Grandstand during his early years in broadcasting.
The former England striker is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, makers of some the UK’s most popular podcasts including the popular The Rest Is History series and its spin-offs about politics, football, entertainment and money.
- With reporting by The Journal FactCheck
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