Gary Lineker Reveals BBC Forced Him to Leave After Controversial Post

Gary Lineker has revealed that it wasn’t his decision to leave the BBC early, following the backlash over a controversial social media post he made earlier this year. The 64-year-old presenter had shared a pro-Palestine video alongside a rat emoji, which led to a flood of anger and demands for the BBC to sack him.

Despite the uproar, Lineker was allowed to remain with the BBC until the end of his contract, with an announcement in May stating that he would leave at the end of the 2024-25 season. However, in a new interview with The New World, Lineker explained that his departure wasn’t his own choice.

When asked whether it was his decision to leave or whether it was a case of “quit or be quitted,” Lineker confirmed, “The latter.” He admitted that the whole incident had been difficult, especially since he hadn’t initially understood the connotations of the rat emoji.

“I missed it. To be honest, I wouldn’t have understood the connotations anyway until it was pointed out to me. I genuinely didn’t see it. I’m not an idiot,” Lineker said. “I may not have known it was an antisemitic trope, but I would have wondered why someone had put a rat there. Why would you ever conflate a rodent with a human?”, reported the Mirror.

The former England striker went on to say, “I wouldn’t do that on purpose – it would be the biggest act of self-harm ever. But, yeah, it was a tough couple of days.” After the backlash, Lineker quickly deleted the post and issued a public apology. While he apologised again in his statement, the BBC decided that he would leave earlier than expected rather than staying on for the 2025-26 season.

Reflecting on his time with the BBC, Lineker expressed his deep love for football and his work with the corporation: “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.”

He reiterated that he would never intentionally share something antisemitic, stating that it went against everything he stood for. He also acknowledged the mistake he made and the upset it caused, adding, “Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”

Though the decision was tough, Lineker has made it clear that the move was forced upon him, not something he willingly chose. With the FA Cup coverage and the 2026 World Cup on his horizon, the whole ordeal has left a difficult mark on the popular presenter, but he remains committed to the game and the work he’s done over the years.