Gary Lineker expected to leave BBC after 26 years, due to social media pressure

Legendary striker and veteran broadcaster Gary Lineker is reportedly set to conclude his extensive 26-year career with the BBC. Confirmation of his departure is anticipated on Monday, following a week of significant controversy stemming from a social media post he shared. The focal point of the controversy was a post Lineker shared on Instagram last Tuesday, which has since been deleted. The post originated from a group identified as Palestine Lobby and featured a video titled "Zionism explained in two minutes," accompanied by an illustration of a rat. The use of a rat as an illustration drew immediate heavy criticism, as a rat "has often been used as an antisemitic insult," referencing derogatory language historically used by Nazi Germany to characterize Jewish people.

The backlash against Lineker was swift and widespread. Groups such as the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) strongly condemned the post, labeling Lineker's position at the BBC as "untenable" and launching a petition demanding his dismissal, which has gathered over 7,000 signatures. A CAA spokesperson argued that the video misrepresented Zionism and the addition of the rat emoji compounded the offense, insisting that Lineker "must go."

Phil Rosenberg, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, also called for Lineker's sacking, describing the post as causing "great offence," particularly highlighting the "egregious use of a rat emoji." Rosenberg characterized Lineker's subsequent apology as "empty and belated," suggesting it followed "years of baiting the Jewish community." Similarly, a director for Labour Against Antisemitism called for Lineker's removal, stating that the BBC's prestige should not be used to "launder hate."

Lineker issued an apology

In response to the intense criticism, Lineker issued an apology on Wednesday. He stated that he "reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references," expressing his "very much regret" for these references. He firmly asserted that he "would never knowingly share anything antisemitic," stating it "goes against everything I believe in." While acknowledging his strong belief in speaking out on humanitarian issues, including "the tragedy unfolding in Gaza," he recognized the importance of "how we do so matters." Lineker took "full responsibility" for the mistake, clarifying that the image did not reflect his personal views and offering an "apologise unreservedly."

One of England's legendary strikers Gary Lineker has been a prominent figure at the BBC for over two decades and holds the position of the corporation's highest-paid employee, earning £1.35 million in 2023-24. He has presented the flagship Premier League highlights show, Match of the Day, since 1999.

While he had previously announced in November his intention to step down from presenting Match of the Day at the end of the current season, a BBC report on Sunday evening indicated that his expected departure from the corporation altogether means he "would not present the corporation’s coverage of the World Cup in 2026," a role he was previously expected to lead. His final broadcast of Match of the Day for the 2024-25 season is scheduled for this coming Sunday.

The controversy surrounding the social media post has reportedly led to the premature end of Gary Lineker's long-standing relationship with the BBC, impacting his future major broadcasting commitments.