Gary Lineker, a former England soccer great and long-time presenter for the BBC, will leave his role after sharing a social media post about Zionism that featured an image of a rat. The 64-year-old Lineker had apologized for the mistake but ultimately stepped down entirely from the corporation.
Lineker’s departure comes after he shared a post from the group Palestine Lobby on Instagram, which illustrated the concept of Zionism in two minutes and included an image of a rat. The BBC had previously suspended Lineker temporarily over comments he made criticizing the UK government’s asylum policy in 2023.
The corporation agreed that Lineker would step back from further presenting after this season following his apology for the mistake. Director-general Tim Davie stated that people should be “exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies” but acknowledged that mistakes can cost the organization.
Lineker had previously expressed regret over reposting material with “offensive references,” stating he would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. He also claimed to have made a “genuine mistake” and should have been more diligent.
The BBC’s impartiality guidelines have been a point of contention for Lineker, who has been outspoken about his views on politics and social issues. His departure marks the end of an era for British soccer fans, who have long admired his passion and knowledge for the sport.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/gary-lineker-bbc-696065a23214d8fe1b5b22de5530ea02