Match of the Day host and football legend Gary Lineker apologised for sharing a social media post which included a rat emoji, historically used as an antisemitic insult
Gary Lineker reportedly could face a police probe over the antisemitic post he shared on social media.
The 64-year-old England football legend confirmed on Monday (May 19) he is quitting the BBC ahead of the 2026 World Cup. It came after the Match of the Day host landed himself in an antisemitism row.
Last week, the Match of the Day host had shared a pro-Palestine video on Instagram about Zionism which included a rat emoji, historically used as an antisemitic insult. He swiftly deleted the post and has apologised for sharing it, insisting he didn’t realise the rat was an antisemitic symbol.
The Met Police have now confirmed they’ve received a “number of reports” from members of the public relating to Lineker’s post. They said they will be assessing these reports but that there is currently no formal police investigation into the matter.
A Met statement read: “We have received a number of reports from members of the public relating to a post published on social media on Monday, 12 May.
“The reports will be assessed to determine what further action might be required. There is currently no police investigation into this matter”.
On Monday, Lineker said he didn’t see the image and would “never consciously repost anything antisemitic”. Apologising again for the post, he added: “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.”
The BBC’s director general Tim Davie said of Lineker’s post and exit: “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.”
It is not the first time that the broadcaster had come under fire for his social media posts – in 2023 he was temporarily suspended from the BBC after slamming the previous government’s new asylum policy. But according to the BBC’s Katie Razzall, the broadcaster viewed his position as untenable after his latest post.
In his statement confirming his exit on Monday, 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.
“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.”
He apologised for the post again in a video posted on his Instagram, where he said: “I would like once again to say I’m sorry unreservedly for the hurt and upset caused. It was a genuine mistake and oversight,” adding: “But I should have been more diligent. I know that.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
