Gary Lineker leaves BBC prematurely after anti-Semitism controversy

Gary Lineker leaves BBC prematurely after anti-Semitism controversy

Gary Lineker, the former captain of the English national soccer team and moderator of "Match of the Day" (MotD), left the BBC with immediate effect. His resignation follows a controversy about a social media post that was considered anti -Semitic. Lineker, 64, will not take over the reporting on the FIFA World Championship 2026 and will finally withdraw from its role as a moderator, such as the Al Jazera reported.

The decision to end the collaboration prematurely is described as a "mutual agreement". Lineker had shared a post that contained a video entitled "Zionism explained in less than two minutes", which was overlaid with a historical picture of a rat that is often associated with anti -Semitism. After realizing the offensive content, he apologized and deleted the post.

political controversy and resignation

Tim Davie, the General Director of the BBC, confirmed that Lineker took his mishap and decided to step down. In his farewell declaration, Lineker emphasized that he would never intentionally share anti -Semitic content and regret what happened. According to the Huffington Post he described his resignation as a responsible decision.

Lineker's career at the BBC extends over 26 years, while through his role at MotD he rose to the best paid star of the station. Before that, he had already got into trouble when he criticized the conservative government's migration policy, which led to a temporary suspension in 2023. At that time, this decision led to expressing the solidarity of his colleagues and public pressure, which finally made his return to the show possible.

reactions and outlook

The public reaction to Lineker resign is mixed. Many spectators appreciated his competence and contribution to football reporting. On social media, some sadness commented on the loss of a voice that campaigned for the rights of the Palestinians and the Israeli government. His political views had previously led to tensions with the BBC regulations on political neutrality, as also reported in the BBC

Lineker's last episode of "Match of the Day" is broadcast on a Sunday, which marks the end of a chapter in his remarkable career. His political attitude, in particular his critical view of the Gaza conflict and Israel, has repeatedly become a topic of conversation, which has recently led to enormous pressure on the BBC and its leadership.