Gary Lineker officially QUITS BBC & won’t front World Cup after shock anti-Semitism row & says ‘I’m sorry, unreservedly’
GARY Lineker has today officially quit the BBC and will not front the 2026 World Cup coverage following an anti-Semitism row.
The former Leicester City, Tottenham, Barcelona and England striker, who has hosted Match of the Day for 26 years, said on Monday: "I'm sorry, unreservedly."
Lineker will make his final appearance on the Beeb's flagship football show on Sunday to present coverage of the Premier League's end of season matches.
He said in a statement released at midday: "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."
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.
The parting of ways also includes the licensing deal for Lineker's Goalhanger podcast titles, The Rest Is Football and The Rest Is History, which ends this year, it is understood.
Lineker agreed to leave the BBC for good after meeting bosses last week — with a source saying he realised his position was untenable.
The MOTD host’s early departure comes five days after he apologised for sharing a controversial post which saw him accused of anti-Semitism.
Lineker, 64, faced a huge backlash after he reposted a video which criticised Zionism and included an illustration of a rat.
Alongside his statement today, he also released a video on his Instagram page in which he said: "I would like to say once again I am sorry, unreservedly, for the hurt and upset caused.
"It was a genuine mistake and oversight but I should have been more diligent."
Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said: "Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made.
"Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.
"Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.
"His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made."
His final years as MOTD host have been marred by his outspoken views and fallouts with bosses.
He is now likely to focus on his successful Goalhanger Podcasts business.
Gary had been due to host the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup but his final bow will be on Sunday, we exclusively revealed.
A source told The Sun previously: “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.”
Those close to the star said his exit means he will be able to speak more freely.
They added: “Gary remains passionate about speaking out over perceived injustices in the world, and will continue to call out things that he believes to be wrong.
“He will be able to speak without the shackles of the non-partisan BBC, and has already had a lot of TV offers to mull over.
“And, of course, he will be cheering on England like any other fan this summer.”
Last Tuesday Gary deleted an Instagram story post from the group Palestine Lobby after he had shared it with his 1.2million followers.
The re-post led to widespread calls for the BBC to drop Gary and the charity Campaign Against Antisemitism said it was submitting a complaint to the corporation.
HATE ROW APOLOGY
In a statement that day, Gary’s agent said: “Whilst viewing and reposting a video, Gary did not notice a rodent emoticon added by the author of the post.
“Although if he had, he would not have made any connection. The repost has been removed.”
On Wednesday Gary apologised and said: “On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references.
“I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic. It goes against everything I believe in.
“The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue.
“Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters.
"I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.”
BBC Director General Tim Davie addressed the backlash the same day, saying: “The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.
“And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.”
Last October The Sun revealed that Gary would quit Match of the Day at the end of this season — but anchor the BBC’s 2025/26 FA Cup coverage and the World Cup.
He previously clashed with bosses for pushing the BBC’s impartiality rules but has staunchly defended using social media to speak out.
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In 2023 he was temporarily removed from MOTD after likening the then-Tory government’s asylum policy to rhetoric of Nazi Germany.
His co-presenters Alan Shearer and Ian Wright then boycotted the show and it went ahead without post-match analysis.
