Why the BBC Fired Sports Broadcaster Gary Lineker
The sports broadcaster bid an emotional farewell to Match of the Day after over 25 years.
- Publish date: since 2 day
Gary Lineker, the iconic face of BBC’s Match of the Day for over 25 years, was dismissed by the broadcaster following a social media controversy.
The former England striker shared a post featuring a rat—a symbol historically associated with antisemitic propaganda—alongside commentary on Zionism.
Although Lineker issued an apology, acknowledging the offense caused, the BBC deemed the incident incompatible with its standards and announced his departure effective at the end of the 2024/2025 season.
The sports broadcaster was due to cover the 2026 World Cup for BBC, but because of the controversy, he was dismissed immediately.
This incident wasn't Lineker’s first clash with the BBC over social media conduct. In 2023, he was temporarily suspended after criticizing the UK government's immigration policy.
Lineker bid an emotional farewell to his team on Match of the Day in his last appearance on the program on Sunday, May 25.
The suspension led to a significant backlash, with fellow presenters and pundits boycotting BBC sports programming in solidarity. The controversy prompted the BBC to review and tighten its social media guidelines, emphasizing impartiality and respect in public discourse.
Lineker's departure marks the end of an era in British sports broadcasting. Beyond his television career, he plans to focus on his podcast production company, Goalhanger Podcasts, which produces popular series like The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Football.
The BBC has announced that presenters Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates, and Mark Chapman will succeed Lineker on Match of the Day, ushering in a new chapter for the long-running program.