Former England football captain and longtime BBC presenter Gary Lineker will step down from his role at the end of the 2024/25 season, the BBC announced on Monday. This decision comes just days after a social media post he shared drew significant backlash for featuring anti-Semitic imagery.
“Gary Lineker will leave his presenting role following the conclusion of *Match of the Day* for the 2024/25 season,” the BBC stated. “He will not take part in the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup or next season’s FA Cup.”
Last week, Lineker issued a public apology after posting — and quickly deleting — an Instagram story about Zionism that included a picture of a rat. “I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views,” he said.
In a follow-up statement released Monday, Lineker added:
> “Football has been at the heart of my life both on and off the pitch. I care deeply about the game and the work I’ve done with the BBC. I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic — it goes against everything I stand for. I recognise the upset caused and stepping back now feels like the right decision.”
BBC Director-General Tim Davie acknowledged the controversy:
>“Gary has recognised his mistake, and we’ve agreed that he will step down after this season. He has been a defining voice in our football coverage for over 20 years.”
Lineker, 64, had already planned to conclude his 26-year stint on Match of the Day this season. However, he was originally slated to continue with World Cup and FA Cup duties through 2026.
Sunday’s Match of the Day, airing after the final Premier League round, will be his last appearance.
As the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, Lineker earned £1.35 million annually. His frequent and often controversial posts on social media have drawn criticism in light of the BBC’s impartiality guidelines.
In 2023, he was briefly suspended after comparing government asylum policy rhetoric to Nazi Germany. His suspension was short-lived after colleagues rallied in his defense, prompting the BBC to initiate an independent review of its social media rules.
AFP
