Gary Lineker announced he will step down from his presenting role after the final episode of Match of the Day this season, and will not cover the 2026 World Cup or next season's FA Cup. His decision follows backlash from a social media post about Zionism, prompting an apology for any distress caused. Known as the BBCâs highest-paid presenter, this is not his first controversy, as he faced criticism earlier in 2023 for remarks on government asylum policy. BBC director Tim Davie noted Lineker's significant impact on sports journalism during his two-decade tenure.
I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic.
Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.
Lineker called a government asylum policy 'immeasurably cruel,' and said the language used was 'not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the '30s.'
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