Gary Lineker leaves Match of the Day after social media controversy

Lineker steps down after 25 years with the BBC following backlash over Instagram post featuring antisemitic imagery.

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker outside his home in London on May 19, 2025. Photo by Ben Whitley/PA Images

By Widya Putri and Randy Ahmad

Gary Lineker, one of Britain’s most recognizable sports broadcasters and a former England football star, officially ended his long-running tenure on Match of the Day with an emotional farewell on Sunday. His departure marks the end of a 25-year era as host of the BBC’s flagship football highlights programme. The move comes in the wake of a social media controversy that erupted after Lineker shared a post featuring imagery widely condemned as antisemitic.

Final broadcast tinged with emotion and legacy

Lineker, 64, opened his final episode with a touch of irony, telling viewers, “It wasn’t meant to end this way,” pausing briefly before adding, “but with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about.” The broadcast included a touching montage of Lineker’s playing career and significant moments on Match of the Day, offering a fitting tribute to the face who defined Saturday night football for more than two decades.

Alongside longtime pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker shared heartfelt thanks with viewers and BBC staff, stating, “It has been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It has been utterly joyous.” His departure leaves a significant void at the BBC, as he has long been considered its most influential sports presenter.

Slot, Shearer, and football world pay tribute

During the episode, new Liverpool manager Arne Slot joined the show and personally thanked Lineker, describing him as “a great presenter of a BBC show that I have watched many times.” Lineker’s influence extended far beyond the pitch, and the tributes continued throughout the night. A BBC-produced tribute reel featured appearances from football legends such as Ian Wright, Alan Hansen, Danny Murphy, Virgil van Dijk, Pep Guardiola, and Claudio Ranieri. Even Lineker’s own children shared personal messages, adding to the night’s emotional tone.

Before closing the broadcast, Lineker received a symbolic gift—a Match of the Day cap, a golden boot, and a video message from Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. The moment captured the respect and admiration Lineker earned across sport and broadcasting.

Controversial post leads to unexpected exit

Despite initial plans for Lineker to continue fronting the BBC’s FA Cup coverage and to lead their team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, his relationship with the corporation unraveled quickly after a contentious Instagram post on May 13. The now-deleted post, titled “Zionism explained in two minutes,” was shared from the group Palestine Lobby and included an illustration of a rat—an image historically associated with antisemitic propaganda and Nazi-era rhetoric.

The backlash was immediate. The Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) released a statement calling Lineker’s position at the BBC “untenable” and launched a petition for his dismissal. Prominent voices such as Phil Rosenberg of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Alex Hearn of Labour Against Antisemitism joined the chorus demanding accountability.

Lineker responded with an apology the next day, stating, “I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic—it goes against everything I believe in. I take full responsibility for this mistake.” He clarified that while he remains committed to speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the war in Gaza, he now recognizes that “how we do so matters.”

BBC announces his departure after FA Cup Final

Only two days after Lineker presented coverage of the FA Cup Final on May 17, the BBC released a statement confirming his departure. Director-General Tim Davie acknowledged Lineker’s contributions but stated, “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.”

Davie praised Lineker’s influence, saying, “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.”

In his own statement, Lineker expressed sorrow over the incident, reiterating his stance against antisemitism: “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.”

A controversial end to a historic broadcasting career

Gary Lineker leaves Match of the Day under circumstances neither he nor the BBC could have anticipated. His influence on the show and British sports media cannot be overstated. From his professional playing days to becoming the BBC’s highest-paid presenter—earning £1.35 million in the 2023–2024 fiscal year—Lineker’s presence has been central to the BBC’s sports identity.

The broadcaster’s future plans remain unclear. While he was once expected to continue with high-profile assignments such as the 2026 World Cup, his exit from the BBC appears to be final for now.

Starting in August, Match of the Day will be hosted by a rotating panel of respected broadcasters—Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates, and Gabby Logan—each bringing their own style and experience to the long-running programme. Lineker, for his part, wished them well, saying, “The programme is in the best of hands.”

Legacy, lessons, and the future of public broadcasting

Lineker’s departure has sparked broader conversations about the intersection of free expression, social media, and public accountability—particularly for figures working in publicly funded institutions. His commitment to political and humanitarian commentary, even while presenting sports programmes, has been both celebrated and criticized in recent years.

As fans reflect on his departure, Lineker’s legacy remains a complicated one. He redefined sports broadcasting for a generation and became a trusted voice for millions. Yet, his final moments with the BBC are also a cautionary tale about the far-reaching impact of digital platforms, especially when high-profile individuals comment on sensitive global issues.

Whether Lineker returns to media in another capacity or pursues other passions, his absence will be felt by football fans across the UK. For now, Match of the Day moves forward, but it does so without the man who helped make it must-watch television for more than a quarter of a century.

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