Gary Lineker reopens war of words with the BBC, accusing it 'of having an agenda', before telling Glastonbury crowd 'Free Palestine'

Daily Mail​

19 hours ago

Gary Lineker has reopened his feud with the BBC during an appearance on stage at Glastonbury - before calling out: 'Free Palestine.'
The former England football captain, who signed off as Match Of The Day presenter after three decades last month, accused corporation chiefs of having 'lost their way'.
Lineker, 64, quit his role as the BBC's best paid presenter a year ahead of schedule following his controversial sharing of an online post condemned as anti-Semitic.
He has now suggested that people 'at the very top of the BBC' had 'an agenda', as he took part in a Q&A session at the music festival staged in Somerset this weekend.
He was speaking during an on-stage conversation with Groove Armada DJ and farming advocate Andy Cato at the Glastonbury event on Saturday afternoon.
Ex-England, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona striker Lineker, when asked about the BBC for whom he worked for 30 years, said: 'I think they have lost their way a little bit.
'There are thousands of brilliant people at the BBC but at the moment I don't think that's reflected right at the very top.'
He also told of some sympathy, however, for the corporation's highest-profile official, saying: 'I feel for Tim Davie, the director-general, because I believe there are people above him that have an agenda.'
Lineker was questioned in the Glastonbury session about his increasingly outspoken views on politics, which have attracted criticism and questions about BBC impartiality.
The broadcaster, who co-runs lucrative podcast brand Goalhanger, said: 'I did have a very big platform and thought, what's the point if you don't use it - if you don't push beliefs that you believe to be right?
'I don't really use Twitter any more because it's become a hateful place, which is a shame really because I used to enjoy it, but I will keep posting on Instagram, so more of the same.'
Lineker finished the Q&A encounter by saying he 'wanted to see Kneecap', the Irish rappers whose appearance at Glastonbury has attracted controversy - including calls from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for the BBC not to show their performance.
The ex-footballer noted, however, that his own Glastonbury appearance on-stage clashed with their scheduled gig elsewhere on the site.
Before departing, Lineker told his audience: 'Free Palestine.'
Lineker faced a backlash last month after sharing on Instagram to his 1.2million followers a video from the group Palestine Lobby, featuring an emoji of a rat - a symbol that has been used in Nazi propaganda as an anti-Jewish smear.
The former football star later issued an 'unreserved apology', saying: 'I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.
The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue.
'Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters.
'I take full responsibility for this mistake. 'That image does not reflect my views. It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.'
Lineker's representative had earlier said: '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 been removed.'
He had previously announced he would be leaving his Saturday night presenting role at the end of the season just finished.
He was originally meant to stay with the corporation long enough to host coverage of the 2025-2026 FA Cup and next year's World Cup.
But following the controversy over his Instagram post, he told how they had reached an agreement for him to depart entirely 12 months from the end of his contract.
His departure also meant the end of the licensing deal for his Goalhanger podcasts, The Rest Is Football and The Rest Is History, now leaving BBC Sounds this year.
Announcing his exit in a BBC statement, Lineker said: 'Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio.
'I care deeply about the game, and about the work I've done with the BBC over many years.
'As I've said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for.
'However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.'
The BBC's director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski emailed staff minutes later, saying: 'I appreciate the last week has been difficult and emotional for many of you.
'Thank you for all the messages and conversations, even if some of them weren't easy to have.
'It is sad to be saying goodbye to such a brilliant broadcaster and I also want to thank Gary for his years of service'.
Lineker has previously faced controversy for his political interventions which critics claim are breaches of BBC impartiality rules.
These included accusing the previous Conservative Government of using anti-migrant language reminiscent of the Nazis.
The most recent BBC accounts show he was the corporation's best paid presenter for the seventh successive year, receiving up to £1.35million in 2023-2024.