The BBC has confirmed Gary Lineker will be leaving the BBC after hosting his final Match of the Day this Sunday.
The former England striker will leave the corporation by mutual agreement, meaning he will also no longer host the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup or next season’s FA Cup coverage.
It comes after the star apologised for sharing a post about the situation in Gaza, which featured a rat, considered an anti-Semitic symbol.
In a video statement on Instagram, Lineker said: “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 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.”
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