Gary Lineker has arrived at the BBC’s studios for his last ever final Match of the Day tonight.
Earlier the BBC has proudly promoted tonight’s Match Of The Day as Gary Lineker’s ‘last time’ – after the former England captain resigned after sharing an anti-Semitic post.
Lineker was condemned after sharing a pro-Palestine Instagram video which featured an emoji of a rat, with critics accusing him of promoting a familiar anti-Semitic slur.
The Match Of The Day presenter and former England football captain posted a video in which Canadian-Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu attacks Israel‘s war in Gaza that had a cartoon image of a rat on screen throughout.
Images of rats and other vermin were regularly used as tropes by Nazi Germany to depict Jewish people, as many of Lineker’s critics pointed out.
The 64-year-old confirmed his departure from the corporation earlier this month after he caused an anti-Semitism row when shared a social media post about Zionism with a rat emoji – a derogatory term used by Nazi Germany about Jewish people.
Mr Lineker ‘apologised unreservedly’ for his actions, saying he was unaware of the meaning of the symbol and added: ‘I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic – it goes against everything I stand for‘.
He said that stepping down from his role with the BBC – where he was once the highest paid star – was ‘the responsible course of action’.
Now the BBC has emphasised that tonight will be the star’s final programme as host, writing on the preview: ‘The best of the action from the final day of the Premier League season presented, for the last time, by Gary Lineker.’
Gary Lineker arrived at the BBC’s studios today ahead of his final hosting appearance
He went in via the underground attention while wearing blue denim jeans and a checkered shirt
Gary Lineker has been condemned after sharing an Instagram video which featured an emoji of a rat, with critics accusing him of promoting a familiar antisemitic slur
The Match Of The Day presenter and former England football captain posted a reel originating with the pro-Palestine group Palestine Lobby
The BBC has emphasised that this is the star’s final programme as host, writing on the preview: ‘The best of the action from the final day of the Premier League season presented, for the last time, by Gary Lineker’
The former England striker will not front the public broadcaster’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup, or coverage of the FA Cup next season.
It comes after the BBC‘s plans to give Gary Lineker a final send off as he marks his last time hosting Match Of The Day were revealed.
With the end in sight, insiders have now revealed what Mr Lineker’s final episode will have in store, with BBC bosses reportedly preparing an emotional montage for the veteran presenter, The Mirror reported.
It is set to include messages from famous players, managers and colleagues, who will all come together to pay tribute to Mr Lineker’s 26 year long career on the show.
And in true sporting fashion, he may also be given a Match of the Day cap – similar to the one that was presented to pundit Ian Wright last year – to mark his time on the football review programme.
‘Gary’s departure really is the end of an era. There will be tributes from some well-known faces, and a few surprises too.’
Gary Lineker quit the BBC on Monday after being caught up in claims of anti-Semitism on social media. He posted a video on Instagram apologising
The 64-year-old (pictured) confirmed his departure from the corporation earlier this month after he caused an anti-Semitism row
Mr Lineker will be joined on today’s show by close pals and pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, with whom he hosts the popular The Rest is Football podcast.
While his final episode will be a must watch for some, others have argued that he should not have been able to present the show for a final time.
Danny Cohen, the BBC’s former director of TV, called for Lineker to be denied the chance to say farewell under the circumstances.
Mr Cohen, former controller of BBC Three, BBC One and then Director of BBC Television until 2015, told The Telegraph: ‘For far too long the BBC has failed to put a stop to Jew-hate and blatant breaches of impartiality on its services.’
‘The BBC have made the right decision to part ways with Gary Lineker, but he should not be allowed a final swansong this weekend.’
‘And why the BBC’s statement does not even mention anti-Semitism is hard to understand.
Mr Lineker will be joined on tonight’s show by close pals and pundits Alan Shearer (centre) and Micah Richards (right)
Ian Wright was presented a special cap to mark his time working on the highlights show in May last year. Lineker is set to be handed a similar cap to mark his time on the show
‘Given the Nazi echoes of the content shared it will be very hard for many in the Jewish community to see Mr Lineker present Match of the Day again on Sunday.
‘If the racist content had been directed at another community I do not believe a presenter would be allowed to carry on for another week’.
He said: ‘Mr Lineker’s sharing of the post is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. The BBC has a serious and wide-ranging problem with anti-Semitism. Only much stronger executive leadership can change that.’
Announcing his exit in a BBC statement, the former England footballer 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.’
BBC director general Tim Davie also agreed it is the right decision having reportedly lost patience with the BBC’s top-paid presenter.
‘Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season’, he said.
Lineker returned to TV screens for the first time on Saturday to host the FA Cup final after apologising for sharing an ‘anti-Semitic’ social media post
Footballer turned presenter Gary Lineker on Match of the Day in 1999 – his first season in the role he held for 25 campaigns
Minutes after the BBC announced his departure, Mr Lineker published his own Instagram video, apologising again and said it was the ‘right time’ for him and the BBC to go their ‘separate ways’.
He said it has been ‘a pleasure and a huge privilege’ following the announcement that he will leave the BBC after this weekend’s Match Of The Day.
‘I would like once again to say I’m sorry, unreservedly, for the hurt and upset caused, it was a genuine mistake and oversight, but I should have been more diligent, I know that. I’ve stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and against all forms of racism all of my life, including, of course, anti-Semitism, which I absolutely abhor. There’s no place for it and never should be’, he said.
‘So I think it’s best for all concerned that I step down from BBC presenting duties altogether and not do next season to FA Cup or World Cup, the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday will be my last show. It’s been a pleasure and a huge privilege working with the BBC for 30 years, especially hosting Match Of The Day, a programme that is so close to my heart and an integral part of my life.
‘I’d like to thank all of the quite brilliant, talented and lovely people, both in front and behind the camera that I’ve worked alongside for three decades. You’re the absolute best. The relationship with the BBC has been long and wonderful, but it’s the right time for the organisation and myself to go our separate ways.
‘Thank you also to all of you (fans) for your incredible support and love over so many years. It means the world to me. I’ll see you all on Sunday.’
Shearer, his co-star on The Rest Is Football, was among those leaving messages alongside the Instagram video.
Writing in the comments, former Newcastle and England captain Shearer said: ‘Thank you for everything.’
