Gary Lineker statement in full as BBC parts ways with star over 'huge mistake'

Gary Lineker’s contract with the BBC has been officially terminated a season early - and he will present

The presenter will leave the BBC after Match of the Day on Saturday, following his now-deleted Instagram post criticised as antisemitic, saying in a statement: “I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am.”

The 64-year-old has headed up Match Of The Day since 1999, when he took over from Des Lynam, and announced he would be stepping down from the last year.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

But plans for him to host the BBC’s World Cup and coverage next season have now been scrapped

He shared and then deleting a post on his account from the group Palestine Lobby, illustrated with a picture of a rat, which prompted calls for him to be sacked from the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA).

.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.”

said in response to the news: “ 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 antisemitic – 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.”

The parting of ways also includes the licensing deal for the Goalhanger titles, The Rest Is Football and The Rest Is History, which ends this year.

Lineker was temporarily suspended from the BBC in March 2023 after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government's new asylum policy.

He was also among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC to rebroadcast a documentary, Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone, to BBC .

Last November, Lineker announced he would be stepping down from presenting Match Of The Day at the end of the season, but would still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage.

The presenter has been the BBC's highest-paid on-air talent for seven consecutive years and was estimated to have earned £1.35 million in the year 2023/24, according to the corporation's annual report published in July.

When he stepped down, it was reported that he was open to staying on at Match Of The Day but was not offered a new deal for the show. The Leicester-born star will be replaced by Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman, who will share the presenting role on Match Of The Day from the next season.

They will also be amongst the front runners to fill his shoes fronting the World Cup and FA Cup coverage, although bosses have several months to organise those new contracts.

Lineker joined Match Of The Day having started as a BBC Radio Five Live presenter, also working on Grandstand during his early years in broadcasting. The former England striker is the co-founder of Goalhanger Podcasts, makers of the popular The Rest Is History series and its spin-offs about politics, football, entertainment and money.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on , , , , , and .