Gary Lineker Leaves BBC Early After Antisemitism Post Controversy

Gary Lineker has revealed that his departure from the BBC was not voluntary but a case of "quit or be quitted" following controversy over a social media post that featured a rat emoji, a historically antisemitic symbol, alongside a pro-Palestinian video. Although he promptly removed the post and apologized, Lineker said he believed his actions complied with the BBC's impartiality rules and denied any antisemitic intent, emphasizing his stance against racism and the killing of children. The former Match of the Day presenter was originally slated to front BBC coverage of the 2026 World Cup and FA Cup but left the corporation early, losing an estimated £800,000 in pay. Lineker expressed understanding for BBC director-general Tim Davie's difficult position and did not hold personal animosity toward BBC staff. He described himself as impartial regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlighted his emotional response to the situation in Gaza. The BBC announced that Lineker would step back from presenting roles following the incident, marking an early end to his tenure.