Gary Lineker quits Match of the Day after defying BBC bosses with pro-Palestine stance

Gary Lineker has stepped down from the BBC after 26 years as the face of British football broadcasting following a row over his pro-Palestinian stance.

The move comes after Lineker shared a series of social media posts criticising Israel's military assault on Gaza and the UK government's complicity in the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

His comments drew attacks from pro-Israel supporters who accused him of antisemitism - an allegation Lineker firmly denies.

The former England striker confirmed on Monday that he will present his final 'Match of the Day' at the end of the 2024/25 season. While initially expected to anchor the BBC's 2026 World Cup coverage, he will now leave the corporation entirely under what both sides are calling a "mutual agreement".

"Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember - both on the pitch and in the studio. I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years," the 64-year-old said in a statement. 

"As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic - it goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognise the error and the upset that I caused and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."

The incident that triggered Lineker's departure centred around his repost of a video by 'Palestine Lobby' that condemned Zionism and featured political cartoon-style imagery, including a rat, immediately seized upon by pro-Israel activists as "antisemitic". Lineker removed the post and issued a public apology.

"I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in," he wrote.

Despite this, organisations such as the Campaign Against Antisemitism launched a formal complaint about the post and called for the BBC to drop the football star in messages online.

Lineker's supporters say this is part of a wider effort to silence prominent voices supportive of Palestinians.

'Suppression' of Palestine advocacy at the BBC

The backlash has reignited longstanding tensions within the BBC over its so-called impartiality rules and the treatment of presenters who express political views outside of news reporting.

Lineker has repeatedly clashed with the broadcaster over its restrictive social media policy, which critics say disproportionately penalises those who criticise Israel or defend Palestinian rights.

In 2023, Lineker was briefly suspended for comparing the UK government’s asylum policy to 1930s Germany, prompting a walkout by BBC Sport colleagues who refused to appear on air in solidarity with the star.

That episode forced the BBC to revise its guidelines for non-news presenters, though the restrictions have only tightened since.

Lineker's critics accuse him of politicising his public role. His supporters argue he has simply refused to be silenced on issues of justice, particularly in the face of ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has killed tens of thousands and sparked global outrage.

Speaking in a past interview, Lineker said: "I don't regret saying them publicly, because I was right - what I said, it was accurate… Would I, in hindsight, do it again? No, I wouldn't, because of all the nonsense that came with it. It was a ridiculous overreaction that was just a reply to someone being very rude."

The BBC's new guidelines require strict political neutrality from high-profile figures, even in their personal time. Lineker, a freelancer, has consistently challenged the policy, calling it "a freedom of speech issue".

He has been the BBC's highest-paid on-air talent for seven years running, earning £1.35 million in 2023/24.

As Lineker exits 'Match of the Day', the BBC is expected to distribute hosting duties among presenters, including Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan.