Football presenter Gary Lineker has confirmed he will be stepping down from his role at the BBC after being accused of posting antisemitic material. Lineker will be leaving after this season's Math Of The Day and will be absent from the coverage of the 2026 World Cup.

‍This comes after Lineker, 64, shared an Instagram post captioned 'Zionism explained in two minutes' featuring an image of a rat, a symbol which has historically been linked to antisemitic propaganda, including propaganda used in Nazi Germany. After heavy criticism, Lineker removed the Instagram post and "apologised unreservedly" for sharing it, also claiming he would "never knowingly share anything antisemitic".

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Shortly after news of Linker's BBC departure flooded social media, Linker made a statement saying: "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. As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."

In a separate Instagram video, Lineker reiterated his strong beliefs in standing up for minorities and humanitarian issues. He also stated that he has stood "against all forms of racism" all his life, including antisemitism, adding, "There's no place for it and never should be."

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He described his relationship with the BBC as "long and wonderful", thanking the "brilliant, talented" people he has worked with throughout the years. In his goodbye statement, he added, "But it's the right time for the organisation and myself to go our separate ways." Before Gary Lineker was a sports broadcaster, he was a professional footballer, taking the position of striker. He played for various clubs since 1978, including Leicester City, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Barcelona. He began presenting for Match Of The Day in the late 1990s, becoming the longest-serving presenter on the program.

Lineker has been known to be outspoken on social and political issues, however, this often goes against the BBC's impartiality guidelines. Lineker signed a five-year agreement with the BBC in 2020, agreeing to their impartiality rules. The regulations were updated in 2023, allowing high-profile BBC presenters to be able to express their views on political issues without campaigning. The policy also highlights the importance of "high standards of civility in public discourse", which specifies avoiding the use of offensive or aggressive language.

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Following Lineker's departure, BBC director general Tim Davie said: "Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season. "Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made."

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BBC's director of sport, Alex Kay-Jelski, stated in an email that the week had been "difficult" and "emotional". He added: "It is sad to be saying goodbye to such a brilliant broadcaster and I also want to thank Gary for his years of service. As ever, if you have questions, you know where I am. Let's finish the season strongly with Gary's final show, enjoy an incredible summer of sport and look forward with excitement to what lies ahead."

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Gary Lineker's final appearance on the BBC will be on Sunday 25 May, which is the final day of the season. On Match Of The Day, he is rumoured to be replaced by Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman, who will divide the presenting role between themselves.