
Gary Lineker apologises and insists he would 'never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic' after reposting pro-Palestine video featuring anti-Jewish rat slur
The BBC Match Of The Day presenter and ex-England captain reposted to his 1.2million Instagram followers a clip featuring an emoji of a rat - prompting condemnation from Jewish groups and calls for him to be axed by the broadcaster.
Lineker, 64, later deleted the footage from his 'Stories' reel on the social media site yesterday afternoon - and a spokesman for the former footballer has now offered an explanation on his behalf.
He claimed ignorance of a notorious anti-Semitic slur about rats when he shared a pro-Palestine video including the smear.
However, speaking today, the retired sports star 'apologised unreservedly' for the post, saying: 'I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.'
In a statement, the Match of the Day host added: 'On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references.
'I very much regret these references. I would never knowingly share anything anti-Semitic. It goes against everything I believe in.
'The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the issue.
Lineker had shared on Instagram a reel originating with pro-Palestine group Palestine Lobby
'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.'
The apology comes after charity campaigners accused Lineker of 'aloofness and reckless indifference' in his response and stepped up calls for the BBC to part ways with him.
The former Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Three Lions star has been a vocal opponent of Israeli 's military action in Gaza, but critics say his latest intervention went too far.
Images of rats and other vermin were regularly used as tropes by Nazi Germany to depict Jewish people, as many people have been pointing out in response.
Lineker previously insisted he was unaware of the symbolism while also failing to notice the rat image was shown in the Palestine Lobby clip - attacking the concept of Zionism - that he shared online.
A spokesman for the BBC's highest paid presenter told how Lineker immediately deleted the video after learning of the picture's historic connotations.
Lineker's representative 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.'
Disgusted users on X widely shared Lineker's earlier post on the social media platform, formerly known as Twitter - and a former BBC Director of Television demanded action from the corporation over what he branded 'utterly grim' content.
Screenshots of Lineker's shared video were immediately flagged as posts which 'may violate X's rules against Hateful Conduct'.
Jewish groups have been among those condemning his post and calling for the BBC to cut ties with him, with charity Campaign Against Antisemitism posting on X: 'Nothing to see here.
'Just Gary Lineker's Instagram account sharing an anti-Israel video misrepresenting Zionism, complete with a rat emoji.'
Responding to comments from Lineker's spokesman, a CAA official told MailOnline: 'Gary Lineker is playing the public for fools by pretending to be one.
'He claims to want to spread awareness about events in the Middle East but also claims to be so ignorant as to be unaware of the dehumanising connotations of a rat symbol.
'He acts like an accessible man of the people, but when caught out issues feeble excuses through a spokesperson like a shady politician.
'Such aloofness and reckless indifference would be appalling from any public figure, but Mr Lineker is the BBC's number one star, and has built himself a media empire that gives him immense influence.
'That comes with a responsibility that Mr Lineker has repeatedly refused to bear.
'The BBC has turned a blind eye for too long. It is long past time for him to go, and he must go now.'
Danny Cohen, a former Director of BBC Television, had yesterday said: 'Gary Lineker appears to have shared content about the Jewish State which echoes Nazi propaganda. This is utterly grim.
'The BBC's Director General Tim Davie has a simple question to answer: does he tolerate the BBC's flagship presenters sharing content that has historically been used as an anti-Semitic slur?'
A group of BBC figures, speaking anonymously to the Telegraph via a third party, said the corporation's failure to fire Lineker had been 'deeply upsetting to its Jewish staff'.
One Jewish staffer, who previously told the paper that anti-Semitism had been 'normalised' at the broadcast giant, said: 'It is quite simply disgusting that the BBC has not kicked Lineker out. His repeated offensiveness to Jewish people has clearly brought the BBC into disrepute.'
Responding to the growing firestorm surrounding Lineker, Tim Davie, the BBC's director general, said people had to follow the broadcaster's social media rules, adding mistakes like Lineker's 'costs us'.
Replying to a question at The Lowry arts centre in Salford about Lineker's latest blunder, Davie added: 'The BBC's reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.
'And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.'
Lineker is due to step down as Match Of The Day presenter at the end of this season but will present BBC coverage of next year's World Cup.
Lineker was also criticised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, who said he had 'caused great offence with this video – particularly with his egregious use of a rat emoji to illustrate Zionists'.
After being contacted by MailOnline for a response to the criticisms, the BBC responded by highlighting the corporation's 'Editorial Guidelines' document, posted online.
This covers employees' 'Personal Use of Social Media, which had been updated in 2023 - suggesting he was not deemed to have broken the rules.
Lineker himself said in February last year at a Broadcasting Press Guild event: 'I know the guidelines really well. I was partly involved in drawing them up.
'I know the guidelines inside out. Obviously the new guidelines actually now allow you much more freedom to tweet. We're allowed opinions and other stuff.'
Criticism online for Lineker has been continuing today, including for his spokesman's statement about his deletion of the post.
Attention was also drawn to previous comments he made in 2023 in response to then-Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman announcing details of her new Illegal Migration Bill.
Lineker had shared video of her speech while adding the comment: 'Good heavens, this is beyond awful.'
He then used his Twitter account, with 8.6million followers, to describe the proposed measures to tackle migration as 'immeasurably cruel'.
Lineker shared the Palestine Lobby video in his 'Stories' selection of reels on Instagram
When another user accused him of being 'out of order', Lineker replied: 'There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
'This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I'm out of order?'
That comparison has now been highlighted by critics of his new Instagram post, with Simon Myerson KC, who chairs the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, posting on X: 'Way back in 2023 was bothered about the language used by Nazis towards Jews.
'Today, he doesn't know anything about that language, which is how he excuses posting antisemitic articles. Poor bloke - he's younger than me but his memory's failing. Time to retire.'
Barrister Simon Barrett commented: 'Gary Lineker's defence is that he is inattentive and badly informed. Fine. But those are not qualities to have in a professional commentator. Sack him.'
Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 England appearances before presenting Match Of The Day since 1999, has previously faced controversy for his political interventions which critics claim are breaches of the BBC's impartiality rules.
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.
In January last year Lineker said he received threats after he retweeted and later deleted a post on social media calling for Israel to be banned from international sporting events, including football.
Later, speaking to news site Zeteo, he said: 'There is a lot of heavy lobbying on people to be quiet so I understand why most people refrain but I'm getting on a bit now, I'm fairly secure and I can't be silent about what's happening.
'I think it's just so, so utterly awful and now they're talking about, 'Oh, it looks like it's happening, going into Rafah', where they've sent everybody down there.
'So I don't see how you can be - it's not antisemitic to say that what Israel is doing is wrong. I just can't see how everybody doesn't see it that way now.
'But whatever the cause, whatever started it - we all know that the history of this area of the world goes way before October 7.
'But it's truly dreadful what's happening. And I cry on a regular basis when I see certain images on social media.'
Lineker also told the Broadcasting Press Guild event in February last year: 'We have been getting a lot more leeway now, which is a good thing. I am always sensible.'
He also claimed that he now rarely used X as it had become 'increasingly toxic'.
He told the gathering of journalists that people should step away from the platform to save their mental health.
He said: 'It's always been a bit of a cesspit but it has become increasingly toxic and you can't have nuanced conversations on there anymore and debates.
'So I have kind of stepped away from that side of things.'
He also said the BBC 'love' him being on the social media platform to 'promote their shows'.
While his Instagram post has prompted this latest controversy, his recent contributions on X have been dominated by promotions for episodes from his Goalhanger podcast firm including The Rest Is Football that he presents.
Other podcasts from the group which he promotes online include sister show The Rest Is Politics, co-hosted by former New Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
24 minutes ago
- BBC News
Belladrum's youngest fan returns to music festival
A baby born after his mum went into labour at the Belladrum music festival has returned to the event one year Redmond's contractions began soon after arriving on the first day of the festival near Beauly last made it to hospital in Inverness but returned just 18 hours later with new baby were back again this year along with the rest of the family to soak up the atmosphere once again. Kate told the BBC last year how she had not expected baby Callan to arrive as she had been 38 weeks pregnant at the time and her other children - Seamus and Peggy - had come after their due when her contractions started she and husband Darren had to take them to their grandparents and drive to the Raigmore the baby was born Kate and Callan returned for parts of the festival but went home at night rather than camping with the rest of the was able to use the family-friendly festival's quieter areas, including a tent set aside for baby feeding. Kate said they were hoping it would be a little "less dramatic" this time around."We are hoping so," she said. "So far we are off to a good start."Last year was all a bit of a blur - it is not until after you kind of think - what did we do?"Darren added that they were looking forward to enjoying the "very family-orientated event" and meeting up with friends and relaxing."That's probably the bit we enjoy the most in terms of like camping with pals and just letting the kids have a bit of a rare time," he said."And no more babies," he added. Festival producer Dougie Brown said the festival was going from "strength to strength"."We are something for all ages, all generations," he said."You have got four or five generations of the same family coming from babes in arms to their parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents."He said they were delighted to see baby Callan coming back."We always say Bella's the perfect festival for your child's first festival but we didn't quite expect a baby to be a day old and at the festival site," he said."But we look forward to catching up with them and many more babies' first festivals in the future."


Telegraph
24 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Children's author Allan Ahlberg dies aged 87
Allan Ahlberg, the author of the children's classic Funnybones, has died aged 87. Ahlberg was known for creating beloved children's books with his first wife Janet, with their scores of titles including The Jolly Postman, which sold more than six million copies. Publisher Penguin Random House confirmed the death of the author, who enjoyed a 50-year writing career. Colleagues said Ahlberg was still revising the cover art for his books a week before his death. Francesca Dow, director of children's books at the publishing house, hailed him as 'extraordinary' and said his work would be 'loved by children and families for years to come'. Ahlberg had worked as a postman, a plumber's mate and a grave digger before a writing career began unexpectedly after he met Janet Hall, who would become his first wife. She was an illustrator who had become frustrated with the quality of the books she was being sent to work on, and requested that Ahlberg attempt to write something better. That resulted in the 1975 book Here are the Brick Street Boys, which would be the first of many collaborations. These included Funnybones, about a family of skeletons, which was adapted into a children's TV series aired on the BBC. Janet Ahlberg died in 1994, and Mr Ahlberg published several tributes to her, including Janet's Last Book, which included many of the illustrator's previously unseen pictures. In 2014, Ahlberg made headlines for refusing lifetime a achievement award because it was sponsored by Amazon. The author took issue with the company's record on tax, and turned down commendation at the Booktrust Best Book Awards because Booktrust had been supported financially by the tech giant. He said at the time: 'When companies like Amazon cheat – paying 0.1 per cent on billions, pretending it is earning money not in the UK, but in Luxembourg, that's a bad thing. 'We should surely, at the very least, say that it is bad and on no account give it any support or, by association, respectability. The idea that my 'lifetime achievement' should have the Amazon tag attached to it is unacceptable.' Ahlberg later worked with other illustrators, including his daughter, Jessica, who helped create a pop-up version of the Goldilocks tale. He is survived by Jessica, his wife Vanessa, and stepdaughters Saskia and Johanna. Belinda Ioni Rasmussen, the chief executive of the children's publisher Walker Books Group, said of her time working with Mr Ahlberg: 'Allan once told us that when his daughter asked him for a story, she would request 'one straight out of your mouth'. 'Over the years, many at Walker were truly privileged to hear stories straight from Allan's mouth. He was enormously playful in spirit and language and had the ability to make you smile in one sentence. Allan inspired generations of children's writers, inspired all of us who worked with him, and inspired artists to make some of their very best work.' The publishing house put out his last picture book, Under the Table, in 2023.


Daily Mail
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Jamie Lee Curtis stuns in an elegant red cape dress at the Freakier Friday UK premiere
The cast of Freakier Friday hit the red carpet in London on Thursday for the UK premiere of the hotly-anticipated film. Jamie Lee Curtis stunned in an elegant red cape dress as she continued her promotional tour at the ODEON Luxe in Leicester Square, London. The American actress, 66, looked incredible in the flowing bright red number that skimmed her ankles. She teamed it with a pair of classic black stiletto heels and shielded her eyes with aviator sunglasses. Freakier Friday - which is a sequel to the 2003 film - sees Lindsay Lohan and Jamie embroiled in quadruple chaos as they swap bodies again - 22 years after they first traded places. Shortly before the premiere Jamie revealed the real reason behind the long 22-year wait for a sequel to Freaky Friday. Fans had long hoped for a sequel to the iconic comedy but had an agonising wait as Freakier Friday is only now hitting cinemas. Now, Jamie Lee has revealed why there was such a long gap between the two releases as she admitted she has long had her eye on a follow-up movie. Appearing on Wednesday's The One Show, Jamie revealed they had to wait until Lindsay, 39, was old enough to have a teenage child for the sequel premise to work. 'The truth is that Lindsay had to be old enough to have a 15-year-old daughter, people would ask me about the movie over and over again,' she shared. 'And finally someone in Australia said, ''well she is'' and I was like ''what do you mean?'' because I know her as this young girl so I don't know how old she is. 'So someone told me and I was, like ''Oh! well maybe we can make the movie. Let's go!''' Lindsay was just 15 years old when she first portrayed Anna Coleman in Freaky Friday alongside Jamie Lee, who played her on-screen mother Tess Coleman. It follows the bickering mother and daughter after a Chinese restaurant fortune cookie mishap causes them to switch bodies, forcing them to live the other's life. Despite barely having been able to see eye-to-eye, the magical switch eventually allows them to see things from the other's point of view. The sequel will see the iconic pairing switch places once again, though this time there is quadruple chaos in store. Anna (Lindsay) is preparing to tie the knot with to Eric Davies (Manny Jacinto), but things are proving difficult as her teenage daughter Harper (Julia Butters) despises Eric's teenager Lily (Sophia Hammons). Harper highlights her disgust as she's heard reciting mock wedding vows, in which she brands her soon-to-be step-sister 'a little demon thing with an obnoxious accent'. A flash forward to Anna's bachelorette party sees her and mother Tess Coleman sit down with a fortune teller (Vanessa Bayer), who warns them they may learn another lesson by 'walking in each other's paths'. Fans had an agonising wait for a sequel as Freakier Friday is only now hitting cinemas 22 years later, with Jamie Lee revealing it was because of Lindsay's age Anna and Tess then find themselves caught up in yet another 'freaky' body swap incident - only this time, it's not just between the two of them. The next morning, Anna discovers she's swapped bodies with daughter Harper, while Tess, aka 'Grandma', is now in the body of Anna's step-daughter Lily. Quadruple chaos then ensues as the foursome try to navigate their new roles with just days to go until the wedding. Chad Michael Murray is also returning to his role as Jake as the two teenage girls also hatch a plot to try and get Anna to reunite with her first love amid the wedding chaos.