Gary Lineker issues statement as he quits BBC after ‘error’ in antisemitism row

Gary Lineker confirmed he is quitting the BBC ahead of the World Cup in a statement released on Monday.

The England legend was set to host his final Match of the Day on Sunday, on the final day of the Premier League season, but planned to stay on with the company to lead its coverage of the 2026 World Cup. But he is now leaving his £1.35m-a-year role ahead of the tournament next year.

Lineker, 64, shared a social media post last week about Zionism amid the Israel and Palestine conflict that included an illustration of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic insult to characterise Jews as vermin. Lineker later issued an apology when he said he very much regretted the references and would never share anything antisemitic – adding he deleted the post after learning about the symbolism of the image.

However, it was then reported that the BBC viewed the twice-divorced dad-of-four’s position as ‘untenable’. The former Leicester City, Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham striker, today 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.

“I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.

“However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”

Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, 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. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.”

The outspoken presenter has headed up Match Of The Day since 1999, when he took over from Des Lynam. The Leicester-born star – who at one stage commanded a £1.75m annual salary at the BBC – will be replaced by Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman, who will share the presenting role next season.

He stepped down as co-presenter of the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year last December, after 23 years hosting the annual ceremony that recognises the UK-based sportsperson who has had the year’s most notable achievements – chosen by a public vote.

Lineker had already issued one statement regarding the offending post on Instagram last week. He had re-shared content from the group Palestine Lobby, prompting claims from Campaign Against Antisemitism that they would be lodging a complaint.

“Whilst I believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know how we do so matters,” Lineker said. “I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.”

After seeing the post, Campaign Against Antisemitism wrote: “Nothing to see here. Just Gary Lineker’s Instagram account sharing an anti-Israel video misrepresenting Zionism, complete with a rat emoji.

“Not only does this video deliberately misrepresent Zionism – the belief that Jews have the same right to self-determination as everyone else – but it adds a rat emoji in doing so. Why is it that Gary Lineker keeps sharing content on social media that seems to cater to Jew-haters?”

Davie also issued a response to the backlash last week. He said: “The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us. And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.”

Lineker was previously taken off the air for an episode of Match of the Day in March 2023, following comments he made about Conservative government language, comparing it to the language used in Nazi Germany.

“We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries,” he wrote. “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”

Numerous ex-players and commentators walked out on the show in solidarity with Lineker, meaning Match of the Day was aired without any presenters or pundits.

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.

In a recent interview with the BBC’s Amol Rajan, Lineker questioned the Beeb’s social media guidelines. He said: “The impartiality rules were for people in news and current affairs. They have subsequently changed.

“But that left people like me, who has always given his honest opinions about things. Then they suddenly changed them and you have to go, ‘Oh, I’ve got to be impartial now’. It doesn’t make any sense.

“Why worry about the people who don’t like you. This is the mistake the BBC makes. The BBC tries to appease the people that hate the BBC.

“The people who always attack the licence fee. They worry far too much about that, rather than worrying about the people who love the BBC.

“Why shouldn’t I have an opinion on things?” Lineker asked in the same interview with Rajan. “I’ve always been strong on humanitarian issues and always will be, and that’s me.

“The goalposts were massively moved because it was never an issue until, suddenly, this point.

“It was always stipulated in the BBC guidelines that in terms of impartiality, it was for people who work in news and current affairs. I am very, very thoughtful about what I say. They took me off air and it was a silly overreaction.”

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk