Gary Lineker Steps Down from BBC After Antisemitism Controversy

London:Former England football captain and prominent BBC football presenter Gary Lineker has lost his job following backlash over a social media post deemed antisemitic.

The 64-year-old, widely recognized as one of the top football pundits in the UK, recently shared a post from a pro-Palestinian group that featured an image of a rat — a symbol historically associated with antisemitic propaganda.

Although Lineker later apologized for sharing the post, the backlash from various organizations and public figures put immense pressure on both him and the BBC. As a result, Lineker — who was the broadcaster’s highest-paid presenter — has decided to part ways with the network at the end of the current football season.

This is not the first time Lineker has faced controversy. In the past, he was briefly taken off-air for criticizing UK government policies, highlighting his outspoken nature on political and humanitarian issues.

The BBC has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident, but the episode has reignited debates around free speech, media impartiality, and the boundaries of political expression by public figures.