Gary Lineker Quits BBC After Palestine Lobby Post Sparks Antisemitism Row

Gary Lineker, the BBC’s highest-paid presenter, is set to leave the broadcaster after a tumultuous week sparked by his sharing of a Palestine Lobby Instagram video featuring an antisemitic rat image, plunging the corporation into crisis and ending his 26-year tenure.

On Monday, Lineker shared an Instagram Story post from the Palestine Lobby group, captioned “Zionism explained in less than 2 mins,” featuring a video by Canadian-Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu criticizing Israel’s alleged occupation of Palestinian land.

The clip included a cartoon image of a rat, a symbol historically used as an antisemitic slur, notably by Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Lineker’s agent stated that the 64-year-old did not notice the rodent emoji and deleted the post immediately upon learning its symbolism.

By Monday evening, a screengrab of the post circulated online, flagged by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) on X, stating, “Nothing to see here. Just Gary Lineker’s Instagram account sharing an anti-Israel video misrepresenting Zionism, complete with a rat emoji.” Other critics reported the post to X moderators, citing potential violations of rules against hateful conduct.

On Tuesday afternoon, Lineker issued a statement: “On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in. Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters. I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views. It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.”

Despite the apology, Jewish groups and BBC colleagues expressed outrage. The CAA declared, “Having looked the other way until now, at this point, it is clear that Gary Lineker’s continued association with the @BBC is untenable. He must go.” Danny Cohen, former BBC television director, told Telegraph Sport, “Gary Lineker appears to have shared content about the Jewish state which echoes Nazi propaganda. This is utterly grim.”

Former Labour MP Lord Austin added, “For too long Gary Lineker has been flagrantly abusing his position as the best-paid presenter at the BBC to promote his deeply biased views. Now he has gone too far, sharing material that, whether he knows it or not, is redolent of the vilest anti-Jewish racism.”

Jewish BBC staff voiced “disgust” over the corporation’s failure to sack Lineker, with one employee stating, “It is quite simply disgusting that the BBC has not kicked Lineker out. His repeated offensiveness to Jewish people has clearly brought the BBC into disrepute.” Another staffer criticized, “The BBC’s endless willingness to overlook his apparent anti-Semitism dressed as Palestinian advocacy constantly makes Jewish staff feel how little they matter to the corporation.”

Lineker’s social media activity has repeatedly clashed with BBC impartiality guidelines. In March 2023, he was suspended after comparing the Conservative Government’s asylum seeker policy language to 1930s Germany, calling it “immeasurably cruel.” The suspension led to a walkout by colleagues, including Ian Wright and Alan Shearer, forcing Match of the Day to air without commentary or punditry. The BBC responded by updating its social media rules to emphasize impartiality for flagship programme presenters.

In January 2024, Lineker shared and deleted an X post calling for Israel’s exclusion from international football, later claiming he misunderstood the message. In 2018, BBC cricket presenter Jonathan Agnew criticized Lineker for tweeting against the Conservative Party, stating, “Imagine how hopeless you’d have to be to still be behind the Tory party in the polls.”

In 2022, the BBC found Lineker breached impartiality by questioning Liz Truss about Russian donations to the Conservative Party. Before the 2022 Qatar World Cup, FMI criticized Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s advice to LGBT+ fans, saying, “Whatever you do, don’t do anything Gay. Is that the message?” He also critiqued Qatar’s human rights record during the BBC’s coverage. In August 2022, Lineker tweeted about the sewage crisis, questioning politicians’ support for pumping sewage into seas.

A Telegraph interview, conducted before the Instagram controversy but published on Thursday, intensified the crisis. Lineker called Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks “beyond depraved” and “completely out of proportion,” adding, “I don’t think they’ve helped their own hostage situation at all.” He accused those silent on Gaza of being “almost complicit.” Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick told Talk TV, “I thought his comments were disgusting and many other people would have lost their careers over this.”

Lineker also appeared to criticize BBC’s new director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, saying, “He wants to change Match of the Day a bit. Ultimately, I don’t think they will, because I don’t see how you move a highlights show away from being about highlights.” This perceived dig at his boss may have been a tipping point.

BBC Director General Tim Davie, speaking at The Lowry arts centre in Salford, stated, “The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us. And I think we absolutely need people to be exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.” Davie urged staff to “follow the rules” on impartiality post-apology.

By Friday, speculation arose that Lineker’s tenure was nearing its end. On Sunday night, The Sun reported Lineker would announce his departure on Monday, with his final Match of the Day airing next Sunday, ending his role as the £1.35 million-a-year presenter.

A source told The Sun, “Gary acknowledged his position at the BBC, anchoring the most prestigious tournament in world football, was untenable, and he will not be hosting the World Cup. He offered to step down at the end of the season, and did not want the BBC – an organisation he still holds in the highest of esteem – dragged into any further controversy.”

Lineker, who signed a one-year contract to host the 2026 World Cup, will not take up another presenting role, focusing instead on his Goalhanger podcast empire, including The Rest is History, The Rest is Politics, and The Rest is Football with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan will replace him on Match of the Day for the 2025-26 season.

Last month, Lineker told BBC’s Amol Rajan he believed senior BBC executives wanted him to leave Match of the Day, stating, “Well, perhaps they want me to leave. There was the sense of that.”

He defended his 2023 asylum policy comments, saying, “Would I, in hindsight, do it again? No I wouldn’t, because of all the nonsense that came with it.” He indicated a shift to podcasts, noting, “I think I’ll step back from that now.” The BBC called him a “world-class presenter” but noted Match of the Day’s evolution for changing viewing habits.

Lineker has not publicly commented on his departure. A source described the exit as “a heartbreaking end to an extraordinary broadcasting career,” with Lineker “absolutely devastated” and “deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted.”

Key Entities and Timeline

Timeline of Events:

• Monday: Lineker shares Palestine Lobby video with rat image.
• Monday Evening: Screengrab circulates, CAA posts on X.
• Tuesday: Lineker deletes post, issues apology.
• Wednesday: Jewish BBC staff express outrage; Davie addresses impartiality.
• Thursday: Telegraph publishes Lineker’s interview criticizing Israel.
• Friday: Speculation of Lineker’s exit emerges.
• Sunday: The Sun reports Lineker’s departure, set for announcement Monday.