BBC’s main soccer presenter Gary Lineker set to leave broadcaster over antisemitic post

Gary Lineker, the former England soccer star who became a leading sports broadcaster on the BBC, is set to announce his departure from the British broadcaster on Monday due to a controversy surrounding an antisemitic post he published on social media, UK media outlets report.

Lineker is leaving the BBC by “mutual agreement” after 26 years, The Sun reports, with other outlets — including the BBC itself — reporting similar details.

The 64-year-old came under criticism on Tuesday after he shared a post from the Palestine Lobby group, illustrated with a picture of a rat, titled: “Zionism explained in two minutes.”

Rats, linked to disease and dirt, have been used to represent Jews in antisemitic propaganda throughout history, including by the Nazis in 1930s Germany.

Lineker apologized on Wednesday, saying he had reposted material which he had subsequently learned contained “offensive references,” adding that he withdrew the post as soon as he became aware of the issue.

“I take full responsibility for this mistake,” said Lineker. “I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.”