Gary Lineker has reflected on his departure from the BBC, saying that he believes he acted correctly throughout the controversies that surrounded his final months at the broadcaster.
The former Match Of The Day presenter, who stepped away in May, said that public reaction to his exit was overwhelmingly supportive and that many people felt he had done nothing wrong.
Lineker, 65, left after a social media post about Zionism sparked widespread discussion. He later explained that the situation arose from an oversight and that he had missed an emoji that would have clarified the meaning of the post.
At the time, he issued a public apology, acknowledging the upset the post caused. He has now said he believed that apology should have resolved the matter.
Speaking recently, Lineker said he does not feel his departure has cost him professionally and instead described the response to his exit as “supportive.”
He also reflected on earlier moments of tension during his BBC career, including a temporary suspension in 2023 following comments about government asylum policy.
Lineker noted that BBC guidelines around impartiality had changed over the years since he first joined social media in 2012, and that presenters were increasingly subject to broader expectations.
Despite this, he said he has always avoided publicly aligning himself with any political party and understands where professional boundaries lie.
He also revealed that he contacted former BBC Director-General Tim Davie following his resignation last month, describing their exchange as cordial and respectful.
Looking more broadly at modern Britain, Lineker said that society often feels divided and that public debate has become increasingly intense.
Lineker had presented Match Of The Day since 1999 and had originally planned to remain with the BBC through future tournaments, including the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup. However, his early exit means he will no longer front that coverage.
Following his departure, the presenting duties on Match Of The Day have been shared this season by Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman.
Before leaving the corporation, Lineker also hosted coverage of numerous major sporting events, including the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Source: Daily Mail