Gary Lineker‘s former boss at the BBC has told how the footballer-turned-pundit’s political outbursts have been ‘deeply damaging’ amid speculation he will leave the corporation early following a Zionism rat row.
Roger Mosey, who used to head up the BBC’s News but is now master of Selwyn College, Cambridge, wrote in the Times at a time when Lineker’s position ‘looks untenable’ after the latest of a series of controversial posts by him in the last few years.
The long-standing sports broadcaster, 64, was condemned this week for posting a reel on Instagram, which he then deleted, about Zionism which included the anti-Semitic symbol of a rat.
His post faced backlash from sections of the Jewish community, and he quickly deleted it and issued an unreserved apology, claiming not to have been aware of the anti-Semitic connotations.
Mr Lineker, who was paid £1.4million by the BBC last year, had shared the post, originally uploaded by another account, as it featured a critique of Zionism.
The BBC stalwart has been vocal with his views on the Israeli invasion of Gaza following the October 7 attacks and has been a vocal supporter of Palestinians.
Lineker said on Wednesday: ‘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.
Gary Lineker is due to step down as Match Of The Day presenter at the end of this season but there are rumours his time at the BBC could be cut short
Roger Mosey (pictured), who used to head up the BBC’s News but is now master of Selwyn College, Cambridge , wrote in the Times at a time when Lineker’s position ‘looks untenable’
‘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.’
Despite the apology, rumours have been swirling this week that Lineker could leave the BBC early, having previously been contracted to continue working for the corporation through to the 2026 World Cup.
He also previously sparked a row when in 2023 by comparing the then-government’s rhetoric over its immigration policy to that of Nazi Germany.
The remark triggered a BBC suspension but this was lifted when colleagues walked out in support of the presenter.
Mr Mosey wrote in the Times that Lineker could even leave as early as next week following his last Match Of The Day show.
In a recent interview, Lineker told Amol Rajan: ‘Perhaps they want me to leave.’
A source in the sports journalism industry told Mr Mosey: ‘The deal for him to continue for another year was always bizarre, but now looks untenable.’
BBC Presenter and Former Footballer Gary Lineker, looks on while presenting after the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on April 26
Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, responded to a question on Wednesday over whether Mr Lineker had broken corporation rules (file image)
Lineker is contracted to front the BBC’s FA Cup coverage next season, as well as the World Cup, but some reports – which were not denied by senior sources – have suggested his position is now tenuous.
In an interview with the Telegraph this week, Mr Lineker described what is going on in Gaza as ‘beyond depraved.’
He said: ‘We still seem to be on the side of the people who are doing this. We’re still supplying arms.
‘And you think, “Wow, how?” The vast majority of people see it for what it is now.’
He added fuel to the fire earlier this week over an unrelated issue – as he appeared to take a swipe at the BBC’s director of sport as of last year, Alex Kay-Jelski, saying he ‘wants to change Match of the Day a bit’.
One BBC staff member claimed the combination of sharing the rat emoji and making the comments about Kay-Jelski could prove lethal.
They said: ‘That is being seen as a real dig at the head of sport, which you just don’t do.
‘But for it to come so soon after the social media controversy makes it a real problem for him.’
Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, responded to a question on Wednesday over whether Mr Lineker had broken corporation rules, following a landmark speech in Salford.
He said: ‘The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.
‘We absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.’
