Gary Lineker is to leave the BBC amid the backlash to a social media post he made on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with the video featuring a rat emoji, sparking anger
Gary Lineker says he believes bosses wanted him gone long before the broadcasting great sensationally quit the BBC on Sunday.
The Match of the Day host was already scheduled to leave the show at the end of the season, but will now depart earlier than planned amid the backlash to a social media post on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He had been poised to continue on as the main presenter of next season’s FA Cup and the BBC’s World Cup 2026 coverage.
But he will now leave the corporation altogether after presenting his final Match of the Day following the season’s last Premier League games next Sunday. Execs considered his position “untenable” despite the much-loved star hosting the programme since 1999.
Now he has spoken and says it became clear he wasn’t wanted. “It’s time. I’ve done it for a long time, it’s been brilliant,” he said in an interview with the BBC. “Well, perhaps they want me to leave. There was the sense of that. I always wanted one more contract, and I was umm-ing and ahh-ing about whether to do three years.
“In the end, I think there was a feeling that, because it was a new rights period, it was a chance to change the programme. I think it was their preference that I didn’t do Match of the Day for one more year, so they could bring in new people. So it’s slightly unusual that I would do the FA Cup and the World Cup, but to be honest, it’s a scenario that suits me perfectly.”
The BBC didn’t comment on the claim that they wanted Gary gone, but its director of sport described him as a “world-class presenter”. Last week, BBC Director General Tim Davie said: “The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone, and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.”
Gary will leave the BBC amid the fall out to a social media post he made on the crisis in Gaza, with the video featuring a rat emoji, sparking anger at the corporation. His statement on read: “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. 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.”
In 2023, Lineker was suspended when he posted criticising the then-government’s immigration policy, prompting other presenters to down tools in solidarity. The BBC and the hosts announced jointly in November that he would be stepping down from the flagship programme. Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan were confirmed to replace the former footballer on Match of the Day.
“Gary accepted his position at the BBC was untenable and he will not be hosting next year’s World Cup,” a source told The Mirror. “He offered to step down at the end of the season and did not want the BBC – an organisation he still holds in the highest of esteem – dragged into any further controversy.
“He remains devastated by the recent turn of events and is deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted. His last Match of the Day will air on Sunday now and he won’t be back. Gary will continue to speak out about issues that he believes to be wrong.
“He will be able to comment freely without the shackles of the nonpartisan BBC and has already had a lot of TV offers to mull over. And, of course, he will be cheering on England like any other fan next summer.”
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