• BBC
• Gary Lineker

GARY LINEKER SET TO LEAVE BBC AFTER CONTROVERSY

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  CapitalTimesNews / 4 weeks
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• 2 min read

Gary Lineker, the 64-year-old former England striker and highest-paid BBC presenter, is expected to announce his departure from the corporation after presenting his final Match of the Day next weekend. The news comes after Lineker shared a social media post about Zionism that included an illustration of a rat, historically used as an antisemitic insult, prompting widespread criticism. Lineker apologized for the post, stating he “very much regretted the references” and adding he would “never knowingly share anything antisemitic.” However, BBC bosses reportedly considered his position untenable following the incident. This isn’t the first time Lineker has faced controversy over his social media posts. In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended from the BBC after criticizing the government’s asylum policy, comparing the language used to promote it to that used by Germany in the 1930s. The BBC subsequently revised its social media rules, emphasizing the importance of impartiality for presenters of flagship programs. Lineker had previously announced his departure from Match of the Day, but stated he would remain with the BBC to front FA Cup and World Cup coverage. However, it seems this will no longer be the case. In an interview earlier this year, Lineker hinted that the BBC might want him to leave Match of the Day, saying, “Well, perhaps they want me to leave. There was the sense of that.” The BBC has announced new presenters for Match of the Day, including Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan, who will take over at the start of the 2025-26 season. BBC Director General Tim Davie recently commented on the importance of maintaining the corporation’s reputation, stating, “The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone, and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us”.