https://arab.news/r2h7y
- Lineker had earlier shared a post criticizing Zionism, accompanied by a rat emoji
- He will not be part of the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup or next season’s FA Cup coverage
DUBAI: BBC sports presenter Gary Lineker will leave the corporation following a controversial social media post that drew accusations of antisemitism, according to a statement.
Lineker had earlier shared a post criticizing Zionism, accompanied by a rat emoji, an image historically associated with antisemitic tropes, before deleting it following backlash.
In an Instagram post on Monday, Lineker apologized for the post and announced he would step down early, with the final episode of his show “Match of the Day” airing as the Premier League concludes on Sunday.
He will not be part of the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup or next season’s FA Cup coverage as previously agreed with the broadcaster.
Lineker acknowledged that the post “contained an emoji that has awful connotations.”
He added: “Unfortunately, I did not see the emoji. If I had, I would never, ever have shared it.
“I have 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.”
The BBC confirmed Lineker’s departure in its statement on Monday. 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.
“Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism, and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond.”
The incident was the latest controversial post by the 64-year-old, who has found himself at the center of several rows over his social media usage, most of which involve him sharing his political views, which goes against the BBC’s rules on impartiality.
In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended over comments he made criticizing the Conservative government’s asylum policy.
Earlier in February, he was among 500 high-profile celebrities who signed an open letter urging the BBC to reinstate a documentary on Gaza that had been removed from iPlayer after it emerged its narrator was the son of a Hamas official.
In his written statement, Lineker said: “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember — both on the pitch and in the studio.
“However, I recognize the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”