What was Gary Lineker’s controversial Instagram post that was ‘final straw’ for BBC bosses?

Following the growing outcry over a contentious social media post that sparked accusations of anti-Semitism, Gary Lineker is reportedly set to resign from the BBC on Monday.

Former England footballer and Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker is expected to leave the BBC by mutual agreement, amid escalating criticism surrounding his recent social media activity.

The fallout began last Monday after Lineker, 64, shared a pro-Palestinian video on Instagram that included a rat emoji which is a symbol historically used in Nazi propaganda to dehumanize Jewish people. The post drew widespread condemnation and was quickly deleted. Lineker issued an apology, but the controversy continued to intensify throughout the week.

Pressure on the broadcaster increased on Thursday after The Telegraph published a revealing interview in which Lineker expanded on his criticism of Israel’s actions and appeared to take aim at senior figures within the BBC.

According to sources, plans for Lineker to lead BBC coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have now been scrapped. His early departure from the broadcaster is expected to be confirmed today.

The BBC presenter with the highest-paid position on the air apologized for releasing an anti-Zionism video. A rat, which has historically been used as an antisemitic insult in Nazi Germany, was featured in the post, which made reference to the language used to describe Jews.

According to his agent, Gary immediately revoked the post after realizing the symbol’s significance. He also issued a statement last Tuesday afternoon, in which he “apologises unwaveringly” for his “mistake.”

He stated in a statement that he “repeated material on Instagram that I have since learned contained offensive references.” “I regret these references a lot.” Never, without knowing, do I share any antisemitism. It contradicts everything I firmly believe.

As soon as I learned about the problem, the Match of the Day presenter said he had deleted the post. I have a strong belief in speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy affecting Gaza, but Lineker continued, “I also know that how we do that matters.

I accept full responsibility for this omission. My opinions are not expressed in that image. I sincerely apologize for what I did, “he said.

Gary, a veteran Match of the Day host, appeared ready to end his time with the broadcaster after the 2026 World Cup. Due to the negative reaction to a social media post about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the seasoned presenter has resigned.

He reshared information from the Palestine Lobby, which prompted Campaign Against Antisemitism to claim they would file a complaint.

The BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, previously responded to the criticism. Everyone has a bad reputation for the BBC, and it costs us, he said.

Lineker was suspended from the air for an episode of Match of the Day in 2023 for his remarks about Conservative government language.

He wrote, “We take much fewer refugees than other major European nations.” I’m out of order, and this is just an incredibly cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in a language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 1930s.

Lineker questioned the Beeb’s social media guidelines in a recent interview with Amol Rajan of the BBC. People in the news and current affairs were subject to the impartiality rules. He claimed that they have since changed.

But that left people like me, who have always expressed open minds about things. Then they abruptly changed them, and you must now say, “Oh, I have to be impartial now.” It is illogical.

“Don’t worry about the people who dislike you,” you ask. The BBC makes this error. The BBC tries to appease those who despise it. The people who constantly criticize the license fee. Instead of caring about the BBC fans, they worry far too much about that.

Why shouldn’t I be expressing my opinion? Lineker and Rajan were in the same interview. I’ve always been strong on humanitarian issues, and I’m still doing so. Because it had never been an issue up until this point, the goalposts were incredibly moved.

According to the BBC guidelines, “it was always intended for those who worked in news and current affairs” in terms of impartiality. What I say has a lot of thought. I was taken off the air, which was a silly overreaction.

Source: Mirror