Gary Lineker's emotional farewell marks end of an era at BBC
, the face of
BBC
's '
Match of the Day
' for over 26 years, bid an emotional farewell on Sunday, May 25, 2025, concluding a broadcasting chapter that began in 1999. His departure follows controversy over a social media post that sparked accusations of
antisemitism
and led to his early exit from the corporation.
Lineker, 64, opened his final broadcast with a poignant remark: 'It wasn't meant to end this way,' subtly referencing the circumstances surrounding his departure. Throughout the show, tributes poured in from colleagues and football legends, including Alan Shearer, Micah Richards, Ian Wright, and Peter Shilton.
A montage celebrated his dual legacy as a prolific striker and a beloved presenter.
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At the program's conclusion, Lineker was presented with a commemorative cap and a golden boot by Shearer and Richards. Fighting back tears, he expressed gratitude: 'It's been an absolute privilege to have hosted
Match of the Day
for a quarter of a century. It's been utterly joyous.' He added, 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work, and I got the plaudits.'
Potential reason for his departure
Live Events
Lineker's departure was precipitated by his sharing of an
video from the Palestine Lobby, which featured a rat emoji, a symbol historically associated with antisemitic propaganda. Upon realizing the offensive nature of the imagery, he promptly deleted the post and issued an apology: 'I have stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and all forms of racism all of my life, including, of course, antisemitism, which I absolutely abhor.'
Lineker will lose out on an estimated £800,000 (NZ$1.8m) after being forced to leave without a pay-off. Sources close to the corporation say the decision to drop him was made primarily by BBC chiefs who had run out of patience with his outspoken political views.
Despite initial plans to continue hosting the FA Cup and the 2026 World Cup, Lineker and the BBC agreed to part ways entirely. BBC Director General Tim Davie acknowledged Lineker as 'a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades.'
Future of 'Match of the Day'
The BBC has announced that Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan will take over presenting duties for Match of the Day starting next season. Lineker offered his well-wishes: 'I'd like to wish Gabby, Mark, and Kelly all the very best when they sit in this chair. The programme is in the best of hands.'
As the final credits rolled, Andrea Bocelli's 'Time to Say Goodbye' played, underscoring the end of an era in
British sports broadcasting
.
The former England captain became the BBC's highest-paid presenter, having initially started out as a BBC Radio Five Live presenter. He also worked on Grandstand during his early years in broadcasting.
His podcast, The Rest Is Football, will have its last episode on BBC Sounds this week, but The Rest Is History will continue on the platform.
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