London: Gary Lineker, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter and long-time face of English football coverage, has quit the national broadcaster after controversy erupted over a social media post widely condemned as antisemitic.
The former England captain’s departure followed what insiders described as a “final straw” moment for the BBC’s senior leadership after he reposted an Instagram video with a rat emoji – an image long associated with antisemitic propaganda.
BBC presenter Gary Lineker gets into a car outside his home in London.Credit: AP
Although the exit was framed as “by mutual consent”, several UK media outlets reported that the 63-year-old former Tottenham and Barcelona striker would leave without a severance package. Lineker, who earned £1.4 million annually, had been contracted to host next year’s FIFA World Cup coverage and continue leading the BBC’s FA Cup broadcasts.
In a statement released on Monday, Lineker said: “I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”
The offending post, shared to his Instagram stories last week, included a video titled “Zionism explained in less than 2 mins” and featured a cartoon rat. While Lineker swiftly deleted the post and issued an apology, backlash from within the BBC and the broader Jewish community proved swift and severe.
Jewish staff at the BBC were among those who reportedly raised concerns, and advocacy groups such as the Campaign Against Antisemitism called for his dismissal. Internally, the fallout deepened after Lineker gave an interview to The Telegraph that appeared to criticise BBC management, blindsiding executives and compounding tensions.
Jewish staff at the BBC were among those who reportedly raised concerns after Lineker shared the Instagram video.Credit: Getty Images
Tim Davie, the BBC’s director-general, acknowledged Lineker’s past contributions but stood by the decision: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.”
Lineker, who will sign off after next weekend’s Match of the Day, has frequently tested the limits of the BBC’s impartiality rules, particularly on social media. In 2023, he was temporarily suspended after likening government immigration rhetoric to 1930s Nazi Germany – a comment that triggered a walkout by BBC Sport colleagues in solidarity.
