Gary Lineker, the legendary English footballer turned iconic sports presenter, has officially stepped down from his long-standing role at the BBC following a storm of controversy over a recent social media post.
The incident that triggered his exit involved a tweet in which Lineker shared a video critical of Zionism, accompanied by an image of a rat—an image many associate with antisemitic symbolism. Though he deleted the tweet and issued a public apology, acknowledging he hadn’t understood the full implications of the content, the damage had already been done.
Lineker explained that while his intention was not to offend, he took full responsibility for the post and its impact. His exit comes after months of increasing tension between him and the BBC regarding impartiality and online conduct.
This is not the first time Lineker’s tweets have drawn fire. In 2023, he was suspended for criticizing the UK government’s asylum policies, comparing them to language used in Nazi Germany. That incident sparked widespread walkouts among BBC staff, and the corporation was forced to rewrite its social media rules for presenters.
His final appearance on “Match of the Day” is scheduled for May 25, 2025. The BBC plans to replace him with a trio of new hosts for the next football season: Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan.
Lineker reflected on his departure with both pride and acceptance. He described his 26-year tenure at the BBC as a “pleasure and a huge privilege,” but admitted that it was time for both him and the organization to “go their separate ways.”
The end of Lineker’s era at the BBC marks a dramatic and emotional moment for fans of football broadcasting—closing a chapter defined by charisma, expertise, and the occasional headline-making opinion.
