Gary Linker could be kicked out of the BBC after he shared a social media post with an image of a rat which was dubbed ‘anti-semitic’.
The long-standing sports broadcaster was condemned for his now-deleted Instagram video story that prompted backlash from sections of the Jewish community.
Mr Lineker, 64, apologised unreservedly for the ‘mistake’ saying ‘that image does not reflect my views’.
It comes as images of rat and vermin were widely used as propaganda against Jews in 1930s Nazi Germany.
It is now thought that BBC colleagues are ‘annoyed’ with Mr Lineker, according to an insider who spoke to The Times.
The source said: ‘He is hosting the Cup final this weekend but beyond that we don’t know at this stage.
‘Staff are annoyed with him after this week — and he is annoyed with himself too.’
Mr Lineker, who was paid £1.4million by the BBC last year, had shared the post, originally uploaded by another account, as it featured a critique of Zionism – the belief that an ethnocultural state should be established for Jewish people through the colonisation of Palestine.
BBC presenter Gary Lineker apologised after sharing the post by a pro-Palestine group on social media
Lineker had shared on Instagram a reel originating with pro-Palestine group Palestine Lobby
Among the Nazis’ depictions of Jewish people as rats was this poster produced by Adolf Hitler’s regime during their 1940s occupation of Denmark
The BBC stalwart has previously been vocal with his views on the Israeli invasion of Gaza following the October 7 attacks – among other issues – but is not thought to have ever publicly apologised for content he has shared.
Mr Lineker refused to say sorry in 2023 for comparing the then-government’s rhetoric over its immigration policy to that of Nazi Germany.
The remark triggered a BBC suspension but this was lifted when colleagues walked out in support of the presenter.
On Wednesday, however, the former England captain 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. It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.’
Gary Lineker is due to step down as Match Of The Day presenter at the end of this season but will present BBC coverage of next year’s World Cup
Mr Linker is contracted to front the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next season, as well as the World Cup, but some reports – which were not denied by senior sources – have suggested his position is now tenuous.
In an interview with the Telegraph this week, Mr Lineker described what is going on in Gaza as ‘beyond depraved.’
He said: ‘We still seem to be on the side of the people who are doing this. We’re still supplying arms.
‘And you think, “Wow, how?” The vast majority of people see it for what it is now.’
On the subject of October 7 he said it was ‘inevitable’ the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land would ’cause massive problems’.
An early exit from the BBC would deny Mr Lineker the opportunity to bow out at next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico as he is already due to host his final Match of the Day programme after 26 years as host.
The 64-year-old added fuel to the fire earlier this week over an unrelated issue – as he appeared to take a swipe at the BBC’s director of sport as of last year, Alex Kay-Jelski, saying he ‘wants to change Match of the Day a bit’.
One BBC staff member claimed the combination of sharing the rat emoji and making the comments about Kay-Jelski could prove lethal.
Gary Lineker has been condemned after sharing an Instagram video featuring an emoji of a rat – the post has now been deleted
They said: ‘That is being seen as a real dig at the head of sport, which you just don’t do.
‘But for it to come so soon after the social media controversy makes it a real problem for him.’
Another senior BBC staffer alleged the comments had heightened tension in Salford’s Media City, where BBC Sport is based.
The source said: ‘The agreement that Gary would step back from the BBC after the World Cup seemed like a very sensible decision all round but after this week another year starts to feel like a really long time.
‘Alex’s background is not in TV but he is surrounded by experienced people who know what they are doing. Gary’s behaviour is starting to wear a bit thin. That is what is damaging staff and the wider organisation. We’ve got enough to be getting on with.’
Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, responded to a question on Wednesday over whether Mr Lineker had broken corporation rules, following a landmark speech in Salford.
He said: ‘The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.
‘We absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.’
Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, responded to a question on Wednesday over whether Mr Lineker had broken corporation rules (file image)
Mr Lineker was criticised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, who said he had ’caused great offence with this video – particularly with his egregious use of a rat emoji to illustrate Zionists’.
Mr Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 England appearances before presenting Match Of The Day since 1999, has previously faced controversy for his political interventions which critics claim are breaches of the BBC’s impartiality rules.
The most recent BBC accounts show he was the corporation’s best paid presenter for the seventh successive year, receiving up to £1.35million in 2023-2024.
In January last year Lineker said he received threats after he retweeted and later deleted a post on social media calling for Israel to be banned from international sporting events, including football.
After being contacted for a response to recent criticisms, the BBC responded by highlighting the corporation’s ‘Editorial Guidelines’ document, posted online.
This covers employees’ Personal Use of Social Media, which had been updated in 2023 – suggesting he was not deemed to have broken the rules.
Mr Lineker himself said in February last year at a Broadcasting Press Guild event: ‘I know the guidelines really well. I was partly involved in drawing them up.
‘I know the guidelines inside out. Obviously the new guidelines actually now allow you much more freedom to tweet. We’re allowed opinions and other stuff.’
Lineker shared the Palestine Lobby video in his ‘Stories’ selection of reels on Instagram
Later, speaking to news site Zeteo, he said: ‘There is a lot of heavy lobbying on people to be quiet so I understand why most people refrain but I’m getting on a bit now, I’m fairly secure and I can’t be silent about what’s happening.
‘I think it’s just so, so utterly awful. It’s not antisemitic to say that what Israel is doing is wrong. I just can’t see how everybody doesn’t see it that way now.
‘But whatever the cause, whatever started it – we all know that the history of this area of the world goes way before October 7.’
The BBC and a representative of Mr Lineker have been approached for comment.
