Gary Lineker, the highest paid presenter at the BBC, will step back from further presenting duties after the current season, following a controversial incident involving a social media post. Over three decades, Lineker has become a vital part of Britain’s football coverage. Today he’s under fire for making comments on the government’s asylum policy and a retweet of a notorious account which was littered with racist slurs.
Since 1999, Lineker has been the host of “Match of the Day.” Though he’ll be missed personally, he has changed BBC’s football coverage dramatically on his watch. He is widely regarded as one of England’s greatest players, having scored 48 goals in 80 matches for the national team. Lineker won the Golden Boot as the top scorer at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. This FA Cup success cemented his case even more as English football’s GOAT.
Career Highlights
Lineker’s career extends beyond broadcasting and into professional soccer, where he showcased his talent at clubs such as Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Barcelona. His transition to media has been equally impressive. He’s the co-founder of the Goalhanger podcasts which have seen a massive surge in popularity among sports fans.
Lineker is a closely admired public character. His annual salary at the BBC is £1.3 million ($2.6 million), making him the highest-paid presenter in the publicly funded organization. His impact goes far beyond the television screen. In fact, with 8.7 million followers on X (formerly Twitter) and 1.2 million on Instagram, he is one of the most powerful forces on social media today.
His commitment to football and humanitarian issues has been clear his entire career. In March 2023, Lineker was briefly suspended from the BBC for criticizing the government’s treatment of asylum seekers. This particular incident further underscored his independence and willingness to speak truth to power on urgent issues.
The Controversial Post
Thus was the situation escalated when Lineker reposted material making explicit xenophobic references. Though he did not apologize for the incident, he pointed to his history of opposing antisemitism during the April speech and highlighted his opposition to racism, too.
“I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years. As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic — it goes against everything I stand for.” – Gary Lineker
Lineker stated, “I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”
Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC, acknowledged Lineker’s contributions to sports journalism and confirmed that he would step back from presenting roles after this season.
“Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades,” – Tim Davie
Davie lauded Lineker for his depth of expertise and spirit. He suggested that Lineker’s campaigning brought him respect among the UK’s sports fans. He added, “When someone makes a mistake, it costs us,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining standards within the organization.
A Legacy of Advocacy
Picture this… Throughout his exceptional career, Lineker is probably best known for not just mastering the pitch but standing up for humanitarian benefits. He has consistently throughout his life spoken out for the rights of minorities and condemned racism in all its forms, including antisemitism.
“I have stood up for minorities and humanitarian issues and all forms of racism all of my life, including of course antisemitism, which I absolutely abhor,” – Gary Lineker
Lineker’s personal, profound bond with football shines through in his candid recollections of a career well spent.
“Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember — both on the pitch and in the studio,” – Gary Lineker
Although he has stepped back from presenting duties for the time being, Lineker’s legacy on the future of football broadcasting is profound. His departure from front-line presenting signals a shift for both him and the BBC as they navigate the complexities of public discourse and media responsibility.
