Gary Lineker at Center of Anti-Semitism Controversy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Gary Lineker, former captain of the England football team and a prominent figure in British sports broadcasting for over two decades, has resigned from his role as a presenter at the BBC. The public broadcaster confirmed his departure on Monday, May 19, 2025, Al Jazeera reported.

At 64, Lineker was expected to cover the 2026 World Cup for the BBC. However, his resignation follows an apology he issued last week after sharing a post on social media about Zionism that included an image of a rat, a symbol often associated with anti-Semitic stereotypes. Lineker removed the post after realizing its offensive nature.

Admission of Guilt

British media reports state that Lineker's departure was mutually agreed upon. For over 25 years, he has been one of the highest-paid personalities at the BBC, particularly known for his role as the host of the flagship football program, Match of the Day (MOTD). Although the BBC had announced last November that Lineker would retire from MOTD this year, he was expected to continue working with the broadcaster until 2026.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said Lineker has acknowledged his mistake. "Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season," he said.

On Monday, Lineker reiterated his regret and emphasized that he never intended to share anything that was anti-Semitic. "I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am," he said. "Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action."

The Problematic Video

According to GBNews, the controversy arose after Lineker posted a video on Instagram from the Palestine Lobby campaign group, titled "Zionism explained in less than 2 mins."

The video featured Canadian-Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu criticizing Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory. However, the video also included a cartoon image of a rat, a symbol historically used as an anti-Semitic insult, including during the Nazi regime in Germany.

The post quickly sparked strong reactions, with screenshots circulating online and the Campaign Against Antisemitism condemning the content. Jewish organizations called for Lineker's dismissal, stating that his presence at the BBC was "untenable."

Former BBC television director Danny Cohen described the post as Nazi propaganda and called it "utterly grim." Within the BBC, some Jewish employees expressed disgust at the company's reluctance to take action.

He removed the post and took full responsibility, emphasizing his commitment to humanitarian issues while acknowledging the importance of how these issues are communicated.

Supporter of Palestine, Critic of Israel

Lineker is known for his outspoken political views on social media. His recent outspoken support for Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict has sparked controversy. He had previously blamed Israel for triggering the conflict, describing Gaza as an "outdoor prison" under occupation.

In an interview on May 9 with The Telegraph, shortly before the accusations of anti-Semitism emerged, Lineker clarified that his criticism was directed at the Israeli government, not the Jewish people. "Obviously, October 7 was awful, but it’s very important to know your history and to study the massacres that happened prior to this, many of them against the Palestinian people," he said.

He added, "Yes, Israelis have a right to defend themselves. But it appears that Palestinians don’t – and that is where it’s wrong. Palestinians are caged in this outdoor prison in Gaza, and now it’s an outdoor prison that they’re bombing."

Lineker questioned Israel's claims of self-defense, stating, "I understand that they needed to avenge, but I don’t think they’ve helped their own hostage situation at all."

He described the situation as complex but expressed sympathy for the Palestinian civilians, saying, "Israeli occupation was going to cause massive problems, and I just feel for the Palestinians."

BBC Impartiality Guidelines and Lineker

Lineker signed a five-year contract with the BBC in 2020, agreeing to abide by the company's impartiality rules, which were updated after his return to Match of the Day in 2023. The guidelines allow prominent presenters to share political views but prohibit campaigning. However, the boundaries of what constitutes campaigning remain unclear, as reported by Sky News.

The rules emphasize courtesy and respect in public discourse, prohibiting offensive or aggressive language. These guidelines apply to presenters outside of news programs, where stricter impartiality standards still apply.

Lineker's outspoken nature and willingness to engage in political debates have repeatedly put him at odds with the BBC's impartiality framework. As he prepares to leave the corporation, his legacy encompasses not only his renowned football career but also his complex history of challenging the boundaries between sports, politics, and media responsibility.

Lineker played for England from 1984 to 1992 and was the leading scorer for clubs such as Leicester City, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur in the 1980s and 1990s. He also founded Goalhanger, a podcast production company that creates shows such as The Rest Is History and The Rest Is Football.

His final appearance as a Match of the Day presenter will be broadcast this Sunday, marking the end of his tenure at the BBC.

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