Gary Lineker has confirmed he will leave the BBC after presenting his final episode of Match of the Day on Sunday. The 64-year-old presenter had been expected to continue covering major football events but was criticized last week for a social media post that included an illustration historically used as an antisemitic insult.
Lineker acknowledged the mistake and apologized, saying he would never consciously repost anything antisemitic and recognizing the error and upset caused. He stepped back from presenting duties as it felt like the “responsible course of action.” The BBC had considered his position untenable after the criticism.
This marks a surprising end to Lineker’s 30-year career with the BBC, which included hosting Match of the Day since 1999. His departure comes after he was temporarily suspended in 2023 for an impartiality row and signing an open letter urging the BBC to reinstate a documentary about Gaza.
Lineker will no longer be involved with the BBC after this season, with his final show concluding on Sunday. The former England striker expressed gratitude for his time with the corporation, saying it had become “an integral part of my life.”
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79e37nld1no