Gary Lineker is expected to make an announcement regarding his departure from the BBC, with speculation suggesting that the 64-year-old will step down after his final presentation on Match of the Day next weekend. Despite plans to continue covering the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup, Lineker, the highest-paid BBC presenter, had previously expressed his intention to leave Match of the Day at the end of the current season. However, a recent social media post regarding Zionism that contained an illustration of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic symbol, led Lineker to issue an apology.
In response to the controversy, Lineker expressed regret for his actions, stating that he would never intentionally share anything antisemitic. BBC Director General Tim Davie emphasized the importance of upholding the BBC’s reputation, noting that mistakes made by individuals can have a significant impact on the organization as a whole. It was reported that BBC executives found Lineker’s position to be untenable in light of the recent incident.
This is not the first time Lineker has faced criticism for his social media activity, as he was previously suspended from the BBC in 2023 following a dispute over a post about a government asylum policy. The incident prompted a review of the BBC’s social media guidelines, particularly for presenters of flagship programs like Match of the Day. Despite announcing his departure from the show in 2024, Lineker had planned to continue working with the BBC on other sports coverage. New presenters, including Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan, have been lined up to take over the reins for the upcoming season.
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