The ex-England worldwide mentioned departing the BBC and caught the boot into his former employers
Former Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker has taken goal on the BBC over their World Cup protection this summer season. The ex-England striker revealed he’ll be fronting this yr’s event dwell from the USA, while the broadcaster must accept its base in Salford.
Lineker had supposed to stay with the broadcaster to entrance the competitors for them, regardless of departing his function as host of the beloved highlights programme in Might 2025.
Nevertheless, he left the BBC before anticipated. This got here after an argument the place he posted on social media about Zionism that featured a rat emoji, which was deemed an anti-Semitic slur.
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The previous England participant issued an apology for the submit and departed with rapid impact. In an ironic flip of occasions, Lineker might be stationed in North America for the event this summer season as his podcast, The Relaxation Is Soccer, has landed a each day present cope with Netflix to be filmed in New York Metropolis.
Chatting with James O’Brien on the LBC podcast Full Disclosure in late February, the ex-Leicester striker made sure to have a dig at his former employers while discussing his departure.
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He mentioned: “I used to be already doing the [podcast] anyway after which different gives began to return in moderately rapidly and, once more, as a result of individuals recognised it was a real error [his social media post].
“The reality is now, in hindsight, and I by no means would’ve wished this, however issues have transpired. I’ve had Saturdays off, I will do the World Cup for Netflix, in New York, while the BBC are doing the World Cup in Salford however issues have turned out alright.”
Following his exit from Match of the Day, Lineker has remained occupied together with his podcast, which he presents alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer. He has additionally taken half within the Ballers League.
Goalhanger, the podcast agency Lineker co-established and which produces different main manufacturers resembling The Relaxation Is Politics, just lately secured an settlement with Netflix to remodel its soccer version right into a each day tv programme on the platform throughout this summer season’s World Cup, held throughout North and Central America.
Gary Lineker left the BBC in Might 2025(Picture: Getty)
The previous Barcelona participant can also be fronting a brand new sport present, The Field, which arrives on ITV later this yr. Discussing his new place as presenter, he instructed O’Brien: “I’ve obtained a brand new sequence… a actuality present, truly, which I am internet hosting. I’ve at all times been requested to go on actuality reveals and I’ve at all times mentioned not till Ant & Dec retire or Claudia provides up.
“It is referred to as The Field and it is a whole lot of enjoyable. It is genuinely one thing fully totally different to what I’ve completed earlier than. I favored the look of this concept. I believe it is actually intelligent. It is light-hearted and a whole lot of enjoyable.”
Apologising for the submit that led to his departure from the BBC in Might final yr, Lineker asserted he didn’t see the picture and “would by no means consciously repost something anti-Semitic”.
He added: “Nevertheless, I recognise the error and upset that I brought about, and reiterate how sorry I’m. Stepping again now feels just like the accountable plan of action.”
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