What did Gary Lineker say? Deleted Instagram post at centre of Zionism ‘rat’ row

Gary Lineker has been accused of antisemitism after sharing an Instagram post (Picture: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Gary Lineker is reportedly set to leave the BBC early and not present the World Cup after his Zionism Instagram post was at the centre of an antisemitism backlash.

The Match Of The Day star, 64, ‘unreservedly apologised’ last week after sharing a post containing antisemitic imagery.

Following intense backlash, it has been alleged that the sports pundit will leave his role with the BBC after the final Match of the Day of the season.

Lineker is due to front the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 World Cup in America, Canada, and Mexico, but it is said that this will no longer be the case, with an announcement expected today.

A source told The Sun: ‘Gary acknowledged his position at the BBC, anchoring the most prestigious ­tournament in world football, was untenable, and he will not be hosting the World Cup.

‘He offered to step down at the end of the season, and did not want the BBC — an organisation he still holds in the highest of esteem — dragged into any further controversy.

Lineker will no longer present the World Cup (Picture: Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

‘He remains absolutely devastated by the recent turn of events and is deeply regretful about how his post was interpreted. His last Match of the Day will air on Sunday now and he won’t be back.’

Lineker’s agent said of the antisemitic social media post: ‘Whilst viewing and reposting a video, Gary did not notice a rodent emoticon added by the author of the post.

‘Although if he had, he would not have made any connection. The repost has been removed.’

What was in Gary Lineker’s Instagram post?

Lineker shared a video from the group Palestine Lobby on his Instagram page, which featured an illustration of a rat over an explanation of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The caption on the video read: ‘Zionism explained in two minutes.’

Additionally, on Lineker’s Instagram Stories, was the message: ‘Why. Does. This. Still. Have. To. Be. Explained? Why?’

What is Zionism?

According to Britannica, Zionism is a ‘Jewish nationalist movement with the goal of the creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine, the ancient homeland of the Jews.

‘Though Zionism originated in eastern and central Europe in the latter part of the 19th century, it is in many ways a continuation of the ancient attachment of the Jews and of the Jewish religion to the historical region of Palestine.

‘According to Judaism, Zion, one of the hills of ancient Jerusalem, is the place where God dwells.’

The word is derived from Zion, a hill near the city of Jerusalem.

The World Zionist Organization, established by Theodor Herzl in 1897, declared that the aim of Zionism was to establish ‘a national home for the Jewish people secured by public law.’

Though Zionists are united that Israel should exist, there are disagreements over its government.

Simply put, Zionist left groups believe Israel-controlled land could be traded for peace, and prefer a secular government over a religious one. Zionist right groups are more sceptical of the idea of trading land for peace, and prefer mixing religion and politics.

Why is a rat so offensive in the context of Zionism?

The rat has long been an antisemitic symbol linked to Nazi Germany.

Jewish people were often represented as rats or cockroaches in Nazi propaganda as the group rose to power in Germany.

In a cover image from the 1920s, newspaper Der Stürmer depicted the gassing of a group of Jewish ‘rats’ standing at the base of a tree with the caption: ‘When the vermin are dead, the German oak will flourish once more.’

A propaganda poster from Denmark in the 1940s also shows a rat with the text ‘destroy them.’

But why were rats used? The Philadelphia Holocaust Memorial Service points out that ‘rats make us think of disease, dirt and infestation.’

What has the reaction been to Gary Lineker’s post?

Lineker’s post provoked a furious reaction online, with some calling for him to be sacked from the BBC and pointing out that his Instagram post came with a message that dubbed the post hate content.

The rat has been an antisemitic symbol dating back to Nazi Germany (Picture: The use of a rat illustration on the video Lineker shared sparked intense backlash (Picture:

The Campaign Against Antisemitism told the BBC: ‘The BBC has turned a blind eye for too long, it is long past time for him to go, and he must go now.’

Phil Rosenberg, president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, said the presenter’s ’empty and belated apology is the first after years of baiting the Jewish community, just as levels of antisemitism soar.’

He told Mail Online: ‘His use of social media has been unacceptable for too long.’

‘It is high time that the licence-fee payer ceases to be obliged to subsidise and amplify his bile.’

Asked about the matter last week, Tim Davie, the BBC director general, said to the BBC: ‘The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone, and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us. We absolutely need people to be exemplars of the BBC values and follow our social media policy. Simple as that.’

Others, however, defended Lineker for speaking out against Israel and the conflict in Gaza.

Many called for the sports pundit to be sacked (Picture: Jonathan Hordle/Shutterstock)

Zohair wrote on X: ‘Gary Lineker, what a guy. Standing with the right side of humanity. Not compromising his morals and not afraid to speak. Free Palestine always.’

Leyla Hamed added: ‘Outspoken on Palestine, Gary Lineker quits BBC role and will not host 2026 World Cup. Thank you @garylineker for your unwavering humanity and your consistent support for Palestine. You have stood firm for justice, dignity, and truth.’

Claudia Webbe posted: ‘Gary Lineker was born and grew up in Leicester, just like me, working class. He saw what I saw. He rightly champions refugees and highlights injustice.

‘When a Genocide is ongoing, he is right to speak up. He’s not just Leicester’s favourite son, he is our national football hero.’

What has Gary Lineker said about the controversy?

Lineker shared a statement apologising for sharing the post, saying he ‘very much regrets these references.’

‘On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references. I very much regret these references,’ he wrote.

Lineker issued a statement apologising for sharing the post (Picture: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for AWEu)

‘I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.’

He added that he deleted the post ‘as soon as he became aware of the issue.’

Lineker continued: ‘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.’

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