Gary Lineker shared an anti-Semitic post on Instagram. Now the highest-paid BBC presenter is stepping down early

On Monday afternoon, Gary Lineker posted a video message of himself on Instagram – without any subject. However, anyone who had followed the controversial news surrounding him in recent days probably knew what it was about: his end as a freelance sports presenter at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the UK's public broadcaster.

Lineker, 64, confirmed his departure after 26 years with the station halfway through his one-and-a-quarter minute recording. He believed it would be "best for everyone involved" if he stepped down from all his presenting activities at the BBC with immediate effect.

His employment appeared to have become untenable after he shared a video from the group "Palestine Lobby" on his Instagram account a week ago. It bore the headline "Zionism Explained in Two Minutes" and featured a rat as an illustration. Zionism is commonly understood as a movement that seeks an independent Jewish state in the Middle East at the expense of the Palestinians; the rat, in this context, is considered an antisemitic slur once used to describe Jews by Nazi Germany.

The incident sparked a huge wave of outrage, and calls for his resignation were immediately heard. Lineker deleted the post shortly after publication and quickly apologized. He insisted he hadn't seen the rat emoji and assured that he would "never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic." He reiterated this in his farewell statement: Lineker acknowledged his mistake and said he understood the anger he had caused by sharing the post. He also pledged to oppose all forms of racism and explicitly mentioned anti-Semitism, which he said he "absolutely detests."

However, the reputational damage the BBC had recently suffered because of Lineker was almost beyond repair. Impartiality is one of the highest principles in the broadcaster's reporting, and it is demanded of all on-air staff. Moreover, Lineker had already made himself vulnerable once when he was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023. At the time, he had criticized the British government's rigid migration policy in a post, comparing its language to that of Nazis in the 1930s. Following a campaign of solidarity with Lineker by colleagues and fellow countrymen, the broadcaster, indignantly, reinstated him.

Since then, however, the relationship has appeared strained, for which Lineker is certainly not innocent. He has repeatedly caused public controversy with his activities and opinions. However, he always wanted these to be seen as a commitment to minorities and humanitarian issues. Furthermore, with 1.35 million pounds, he is the highest earner at the BBC, which is forced to cut costs and is also planning a generational change. In November 2024, the former England striker, who switched to television after his professional career , agreed with the broadcaster to step down completely after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Until then, it had been planned that he would continue to host the BBC's FA Cup matches next season. Both events will now be staffed by as yet unknown personnel.

Lineker would have already retired from the BBC's flagship football show "Match of the Day," which he has hosted since 1999, at the end of this season anyway. Presumably to save his final edition of "Match of the Day" next Sunday, which will feature all the matches from the final day of the Premier League, Lineker reached an agreement with the BBC to resign early. Lineker's successor will be a trio: Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates, alongside Mark Chapman, will be the first two female presenters.