Gary Lineker to step down from the BBC after sharing social media post on Zionism - AP News

Published: Monday, May 19, 2025 at 1:47 pm

Gary Lineker to Leave BBC After Zionism Post Controversy

Gary Lineker, the beloved former England soccer star turned media personality, is stepping down from his role at the BBC following a social media controversy. The decision comes after Lineker shared an Instagram story from the "Palestine Lobby" group that included an image of a rat alongside the phrase "Zionism explained in two minutes." The BBC, citing the offensive nature of the post, which has historical ties to antisemitic propaganda, announced Lineker's departure.

Lineker, the BBC's highest-paid presenter, was initially slated to leave his flagship soccer highlights show, *Match of the Day*, at the end of the current season but remain with the BBC for other soccer coverage, including the upcoming World Cup. However, the corporation has now confirmed his complete departure after the final *Match of the Day* episode next weekend.

Lineker has apologized for the post, stating he "withdrew the post as soon as he became aware of the issue" and would "never knowingly share anything antisemitic." He acknowledged his mistake and expressed his deep regret. This incident follows a history of friction between Lineker and the BBC regarding his social media activity and the corporation's impartiality guidelines. He was previously temporarily suspended in 2023 for criticizing the government's asylum policy.

Lineker's departure marks the end of an era for the BBC, where he has been a prominent figure for over two decades. He has been the main presenter of *Match of the Day* since 1999 and is a highly respected figure in British media. The BBC has acknowledged his significant contribution to sports journalism. *Match of the Day* will be hosted by Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan for the start of the 2025-26 season.

BNN's Perspective: While Lineker's contributions to the BBC are undeniable, the corporation is right to uphold its standards of impartiality, especially given the sensitive nature of the post. It's a difficult situation, but the BBC has a responsibility to its audience to ensure its presenters are not perceived as promoting potentially offensive content.

Keywords: Gary Lineker, BBC, Match of the Day, Zionism, antisemitism, Palestine Lobby, social media, controversy, impartiality, England soccer, sports journalism, media, departure, Tim Davie, apology, Instagram, football, presenter, news, UK, controversy, media personality

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