Cultural Reporter
Gary Lineker has confirmed that he will leave the BBC after the final episode of the day's match on Sunday.
The 64-year-old is expected to have future coverage in the FA Cup and the World Cup, but was criticized last week after sharing social media articles about Zionism, including illustrations of a mouse, historically used as an insult to anti-Semitism.
In a statement Monday, Lineker reiterated that he had no idea of the anti-Semitism of the post, adding that he "recognized the mistakes and frustrations I caused and reiterated my regrets for me."
“It feels like a responsible course of action,” he added.
The BBC's culture and media editor Katie Razzall said the host had previously raised criticism of his social media posts, but the latest examples were considered the boss's last straw, and he believes his position is difficult to maintain.
BBC Director General Tim Davie said in a statement: “Gary admitted he made a mistake. So we agree that he will step back in a further introduction after the season.
“Gary has been a decisive voice in the BBC’s football coverage for two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and won the respect of sports fans in the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for his contribution.”
"Football has always been the core of my life as long as I remember it - both on the court and in the studio.
“I care so much about the game, and the work I’ve done with the BBC over the years. As I said, I will never consciously replay any anti-Semitic people – it goes against everything I stand for.
"But I reaffirmed my regrets, reaffirmed my regrets, redirecting back now feels like a responsible course of action."
Lineker and the BBC announced last year that he would leave the game of the day at the end of the season.
But he was originally scheduled to cover the forefront of the Men's FA Cup and World Cup on the BBC in 2026.
In a recent interview with BBC's Amol Rajan, he said he had a sense that the BBC wanted him to resign from the match that day.
The former England striker replaced Des Lynam as the main host of the 1999 Premier League highlight show.
Roger Mosey, former director of BBC Sport and former head of BBC Television News, told BBC Radio 4's Today Program on Monday that he believes the "difficulty" is that "n either of you can be the highest paid host and a social media activist".
"I think it's never easy to allow Gary to do the amount of social media he does," he said.
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