Gary Lineker has officially confirmed his departure from the BBC’s Match of the Day, ending a 26-year run as the show’s main presenter. The decision comes after widespread backlash to a social media post he shared, which included imagery criticized as antisemitic. Lineker apologized publicly, stating he had no intention to cause harm and took full responsibility for the incident.
Following the controversy, BBC Director-General Tim Davie sent an internal email to all staff, which has since been leaked. In it, he addressed the challenges raised by the situation and reaffirmed the BBC’s commitment to impartiality while also acknowledging the need to balance that with freedom of expression. He also revealed plans for an independent review of the corporation’s social media policies to clarify existing guidelines.
Lineker’s final appearance on Match of the Day will be on Sunday, May 25, 2025, and he will not feature in the BBC’s 2026 World Cup coverage. The BBC confirmed he will depart without any severance package.
A new presenting team—Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan—will take over hosting duties for Match of the Day going forward.
Lineker, a key figure in British sports broadcasting, will now shift focus to his podcast work, including projects with Goalhanger Podcasts. His exit has reignited debate within the BBC over how to maintain both neutrality and creative freedom for its public-facing figures.