Gary Lineker is expected to step down from his BBC presenting role following a controversy over a social media post accused of invoking antisemitic tropes.
The 64-year-old former England striker and Match of the Day host reposted a video from the ‘Palestine Lobby’ on social media, which featured a rat emoji alongside the title – a symbol historically linked to antisemitic Nazi propaganda.
Lineker deleted the post shortly after and issued an apology, saying he “takes full responsibility” and that “the image does not reflect my views”.
However, according to BBC sources, the broadcaster believes his position has become untenable following the incident and he will no longer front its World Cup 2026 coverage.
Critics said the apology did not go far enough, raising concerns over how the post was shared in the first place and whether Lineker understands the significance of antisemitic imagery.
A message from his agent stated: “Whilst viewing and reposting a video, Gary did not notice a rodent emoticon added by the author of the post. Although if he had, he would not have made any connection. The repost has since been removed.”
Jewish groups, including the Board of Deputies and the Campaign Against Antisemitism, condemned the post and called for his dismissal.
One British Jewish commentator said: “It is galling that despite removing the post and knowing the offence caused, he continued to post about Gaza before apologising. That’s not good enough.”
The video, which sought to explain Zionism in two minutes, included a rat – an image widely used in Nazi-era Germany to portray Jews as vermin.
Critics said the inclusion of the rat emoji should have raised immediate red flags. Nazi propaganda paper Der Stürmer famously used similar imagery to dehumanise Jews in the 1930s.
Lineker has been vocal on the Israel-Gaza conflict in recent months, with many accusing him of failing to balance his support for Palestinians with sensitivity towards Jewish concerns.
“It’s no longer acceptable to plead ignorance,” one Jewish commentator said. “High-profile figures like Lineker must commit to antisemitism training and understand the significance of their actions online.”
The Holocaust Educational Trust and other Jewish organisations urged Lineker to use the opportunity to learn more about antisemitism and the historical context behind tropes that continue to circulate online.
While Lineker has apologised and is reportedly stepping away from BBC coverage, critics argue that meaningful change will only come through education and accountability.
