After more than three decades with the BBC, Gary Lineker will present his final Match Of The Day episode tonight, marking the end of an era in British sports broadcasting.
The 63-year-old former England striker, who has hosted the iconic football highlights show since 1999, steps down amid a storm of controversy stemming from a social media post referencing Zionism that included a rat emoji, historically seen as an antisemitic symbol.
The Rest Is Football, co-hosted with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, will release its final BBC Sounds episode this week. However, The Rest Is History and its spin-offs will continue on BBC Sounds, according to PA Media.
New Match Of The Day Presenters
The BBC has confirmed that Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates, and Mark Chapman will share Match Of The Day hosting duties starting from the 2025–26 Premier League season.
Controversy and Career Turbulence
This is not the first time Lineker has clashed with BBC guidelines. In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended over a political comment about the UK government’s asylum policies. Earlier this year, he also signed a high-profile letter urging the BBC to rebroadcast the Gaza documentary How To Survive A War Zone on iPlayer.
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Despite the controversies, many fans and colleagues expressed support for Lineker’s contributions to the BBC and football broadcasting. Social media reactions range from nostalgic gratitude to frustration at the circumstances surrounding his exit.
