Gary Lineker leaves BBC role after online post sparks outrage
Gary Lineker will leave the BBC following intense criticism over a recent Instagram post. He will officially exit on Monday.
The issue started when Lineker shared a video that called Israel supporters rats. This image has a long history of hate tied to anti-Semitism. He removed the post and apologised, saying he regrets the error and accepts full responsibility. The BBC and Lineker agreed to end his contract to avoid further issues.
Lineker has hosted Match of the Day since 1999 and plans to leave after the 2024/25 season. He won’t cover the FA Cup or the 2026 World Cup as planned.
This is not the first time Lineker has faced controversy over his social media. In 2024, the BBC briefly suspended him after he criticised the UK government’s asylum policies.
Lineker’s early exit marks the end of a long and well-known career in British sports TV.
