Presenter Gary Lineker will stop after the current season of the BBC program Match of the Day. The departure follows an anti-Semitic video, which the former top football player shared on social media last week.
“Gary Lineker will resign his role as a presenter after the current season of Match of the Day. He will not be visible at the BBC reporting of the World Cup 2026 or the FA Cup of next season,” the BBC reports in a press release.
The 64-year-old Lineker, who is considered one of the best English football players ever, announced in November that he will leave Match of the Day after 25 years. But the presenter then announced that he would remain involved in other football broadcasts from the British broadcaster.
Lineker’s departure follows a video about Zionism, which the presenter shared last week via social media. In the announcement of the video you could see an image of a rat, an animal used by Nazi Germany in the Second World War to paint Jews as vermin.
Lineker has apologized. He said that he “would never consciously share something anti -Semitic” and that he had deleted the message as soon as he became “aware of the problem”.
‘Draws against everything I stand for’
BBC director-general Tim Davie responded to the event and the consequences that the action would have for the broadcaster. “The reputation of the BBC is worn by everyone, and if someone makes a mistake, it costs us something,” he said.
“I would never deliberately relocate anything anti -Semitic. It goes against everything I stand for,” Lineker responds to the news about his departure. “However, I acknowledge the mistake and the unrest that I have caused, and repeat how much I am sorry. Now taking a step back feels like a responsible way of acting.”
Lineker, who has been the best -paid presenter of the BBC for years, was also discredited in March 2023 because he had been critical of the Refugee Policy of the British government on social media. That went against the rules of the BBC and that is why the appropriate English International was suspended. The broadcaster later set new rules on the use of social media by presenters.
Presenter Gary Lineker is Leaving the BBC Program Match of the Day After the Current Season. The Departure Follows an Anti-Semitic Video that the Former Top Footballer Shared on Social Media Last Week.
“Gary Lineker will step down as Presenter after the end of the current season of the day. He will not be seen in the BBC’s Coverage of the 2026 World Cup or Next Season’s FA Cup,” The BBC Said in a Press Release.
The 64-Year-Old Lineker, Considered One of the Best English Footballers Ever, Announced in November That would be Leaving Match of the Day After 25 Years. But the Presenter Said at the Time that would Remain Involved in Other Football Broadcasts from the British Broadcaster.
Lineker’s Departure Follows A Video About Zionism That The Presenter Shared on Social Media Last Week. The announcement of the video featured an image of a rat, an animal used by nazi germany in world war ii to portray jews as vermin.
Lineker Has Apologized. He said would “never knowingly share anything anti-semitic” and that he had removed the message as soon as he “Became aware of the problem.”
‘Goes Against Everything I stand for’
BBC Director-General Tim Davie Responded to the Event and the Consequences The Action would have for the broadcaster. “The reputation of the bbc is Borne by Everyone, and ify makes A Mistake, It Costs Us Something,” He said.
“I would never know to be reposted anti-semitic. It goes against Everything I stand for,” Lineker Responds to the news of his departure. “However, I Recognize the Mistake and the Unrest I have caused, and reiterate hower sorry I am. Stepping Back Now Feels Like a Responsible Course of Action.”
Lineker, Who Has Been The BBC’s Highest-Paid Presenter For Years, was also Embroiled in controversy in March 2023 for speaking out critically on social media about the British Government’s Refugee Policy. That was Against BBC Rules, and the Eighty-time England International was suspended as a result. The Broadcaster later introduced new rules on social media use by Presenters.