Gary Lineker’s departure from Match of the Day after years of controversy marks the end of one of the BBC’s most complex relationships with one of its biggest stars.
The legendary England striker turned outspoken broadcaster has become increasingly vocal on social and political issues, sparking multiple controversies and pushing the BBC’s impartiality policies to the limit. His exit comes after a series of statements and actions that left the BBC and its leadership at odds with the face of its flagship football program.
The controversy reached its peak last year when Lineker compared the UK Government’s rhetoric on immigration to Nazi Germany in a post on social media, sparking one of the BBC’s most significant public crises. Lineker’s comments drew immediate backlash, not just from his critics, but from within the BBC itself. Although the corporation initially suspended him, an internal revolt among BBC staff led to his quick reinstatement, a rare victory for a BBC employee who’d come under fire for public commentary on sensitive topics.
The incident underscored Lineker’s dominance in the BBC’s sporting lineup. By winning the internal standoff, Lineker cemented his position, effectively operating under his own set of rules, much to the frustration of many at the BBC who had long upheld the corporation’s impartiality standards. Even after new guidelines were introduced for flagship presenters, Lineker’s social media presence continued to reflect his candid and often critical views on issues ranging from Brexit to domestic policies.
Before his controversial remarks about the UK government, Lineker had been reprimanded for comments directed at the Conservative government under Liz Truss, accusing it of connections with Russian donors. The reprimand was one of many that came as his tweets took an increasingly critical tone following the 2016 Brexit vote, with Lineker openly criticizing the Conservative party. In 2018, he expressed concerns over Brexit’s trajectory, posting, “Imagine how hopeless you’d have to be to still be behind the Tory party in the polls. The absolute state of our politics.”
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These increasingly inflammatory posts did not go unnoticed within the BBC. Colleague Jonathan Agnew, BBC cricket correspondent, publicly voiced his frustration, calling on Lineker to adhere to the BBC’s impartiality guidelines. Agnew posted, “Gary. You are the face of BBC Sport. Please observe BBC editorial guidelines.” Lineker, however, replied bluntly, asserting, “Jonathan, I’m the face of my own Twitter account. I’ll continue to tweet what I like.”
Other colleagues also weighed in, with senior BBC journalist Neil Henderson, in one instance, telling Lineker, “The BBC lives or dies by its impartiality. If you can’t abide it, get off it.” Lineker emerged victorious yet again as Henderson was compelled to apologize and retract his comment. This series of clashes only solidified Lineker’s apparent immunity to the rules binding other BBC presenters.
Lineker’s public commentary, however, extended beyond UK politics. Just before the October 7 attacks on Israel, Lineker endorsed a video by journalist Owen Jones, featuring an academic discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict and condemning comparisons of Hamas to the Nazis. Soon afterward, Lineker shared a pro-Palestinian post calling for Israel’s exclusion from football tournaments, later deleting it and attributing his actions to a misreading of the post’s content. Reflecting on his outspokenness, he stated he speaks out so he can “look at [himself] in the mirror at night.”
In recent months, Lineker brought his candid style directly to his football coverage. On The Rest is Football podcast, launched with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, he voiced blunt opinions on the England national team’s performance at this summer’s European Championship, calling their draw with Denmark “s***.” The podcast, part of the Goalhanger Podcast network, has reportedly become a financial success, with earnings thought to exceed Lineker’s £1.35 million BBC salary, fueling speculation that he could focus on the venture full-time.
These events have been amplified by leaks suggesting BBC executives, including director-general Tim Davie and new director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski, might already be planning for Lineker’s exit. Though the BBC denied any final decision, it notably refrained from comment when news of Lineker’s potential departure circulated.
The Lineker saga has placed significant pressure on the BBC’s leadership. After his suspension last year, then-director of sport Barbara Slater opted to step down, a move that many attribute, in part, to the internal tensions over how to handle the presenter’s conduct. The newly appointed Kay-Jelski now finds himself at the center of a BBC reshaping process that could benefit from a quieter, more compliant sports frontman.
Lineker’s exit marks a significant change for both him and the BBC. Free from the BBC’s guidelines, Lineker can pursue his podcasting ventures and maintain his social media presence unfiltered, while the BBC can attempt to restore its commitment to neutrality. His departure also removes a powerful and contentious figure from the BBC’s lineup, allowing the corporation to recalibrate its approach to balancing free expression with its values of impartiality.
As Lineker prepares to step back from Match of the Day, he leaves behind a legacy defined by his steadfast beliefs and high-profile battles. Whether or not he continues with the BBC in some capacity, the 2024 World Cup may offer him one final chance to close this chapter with a sporting rather than political legacy. But his outspoken influence on sports broadcasting, and the debates he sparked within the BBC, may remain part of his enduring impact on British media.
