Gary Lineker leaving BBC next week instead of next year after Zionism video 'mistake'

MATCH OF THE Day presenter Gary Lineker is expected to announce he has quit the BBC and will not front its coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

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.

According to the broadcaster, an announcement on Lineker’s departure is expected today amid reports that the BBC’s bosses now considered his position “untenable”.

The Sun has reported that a source said: “It is a heartbreaking end to an extraordinary broadcasting career.”

Lineker’s departure comes after he “apologised unreservedly” for 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.

A statement given to the PA news agency, Linekar said: “On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.

“The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue. Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters,” he said.

“I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views. It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.”

The former Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton striker is still expected to host his final Match Of the Day this coming Sunday according to The Sun, and will not play a part in the next World Cup, held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

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He headed up the BBC’s coverage of the FA Cup final on Saturday, which saw Crystal Palace beat Manchester City 1-0.

Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then 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.”

Match of the Day

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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