IN March 2023, the BBC suspended Gary Lineker from Match of the Day duties following a tweet it deemed to be in breach of its guidelines.
The beloved presenter has now announced that he is quitting the broadcaster following an explosive row over anti-Semitism.
AlamyGary Lineker is leaving the BBC[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdHe has presented Match of the Day since 1999[/caption]
On May 19, 2025, Gary Lineker announced that he is leaving the BBC and will not front the 2026 World Cup following an anti-Semitism row.
The former Leicester City and England striker is leaving the broadcaster by mutual agreement after 26 years.
The Match of the Day host’s early departure comes five days after he apologised for sharing a controversial post that saw him accused of anti-Semitism.
The 64-year-old faced a huge backlash after he reposted a video criticising Zionism, which included an illustration of a rat.
A source told The Sun: “It is a heartbreaking end to an extraordinary broadcasting career.
“Gary acknowledged his position at the BBC, anchoring the most prestigious tournament in world football, was untenable, and he will not be hosting the World Cup.
“He offered to step down at the end of the season, and did not want the BBC — an organisation he still holds in the highest of esteem — dragged into any further controversy.
“He remains absolutely devastated by the recent turn of events and is deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted. His last Match of the Day will air on Sunday now and he won’t be back.”
While Gary released 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 anti-Semitic — 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.”
Gary’s final Match of the Day ever is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, 2025.
He will reportedly not receive a pay off despite being the broadcaster’s highest paid star, raking in £1.35million a year, according to The Times.
What did Gary Lineker tweet?
In March 2023, Gary took to Twitter to hit out at the Illegal Migration Bill, which bans migrants who arrive on small boats from settling in Britain.
The former player and crisp peddler was suspended in 2023 following a tweet that the Beeb said breached its guidelines
He tweeted: “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the ’30s, and I’m out of order?”
In a statement, the BBC said it has “decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.”
The Sun has exclusively revealed that the presenter would return for the BBC’s live coverage of the FA Cup the following Saturday after tense talks.
What have Ian Wright and Alan Shearer said?
Gary’s Match of The Day co-hosts Ian Wright and Alan Shearer also stepped back from the show in a sign of solidarity.
Wright tweeted: “Everybody knows what Match of the Day means to me, but I’ve told the BBC I won’t be doing it tomorrow. Solidarity.”
PAIan Wright will not be appearing on the show in a sign of solidarity[/caption]
This was shortly followed by co-star Alan Shearer who said: “I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.”
Alex Scott, Jermaine Jenas, Micah Richards and Mark Chapman also all showed support for Gary.
This meant Match of the Day went ahead without a presenter, pundits or commentary following his suspension
Who is replacing Gary on Match of the Day?
In January 2025, the new Match of the Day hosts were confirmed.
The trio will share presenting duties for the flagship Match of the Day on a Saturday night, plus Match of the Day 2 on Sunday evenings.
Kelly Cates will be part of a three-person presenting team alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan from next season.
A statement posted on the show’s X page read: “New squad for next season!
“We’re delighted to announce that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan will share Match of the Day presenting duties from 2025-26.”
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