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Gary Lineker Ends 26-Year Match of the Day Run After Social Media Controversy

Apologizing for a social media post deemed antisemitic accelerated his departure, with Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman set to succeed him.

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Overview

  • Lineker stepped down on May 25, months ahead of his planned exit, after issuing an unreserved apology for sharing an image seen as antisemitic on social media.
  • An emotional farewell montage on his final show caused him to misplace his script and ad‐lib the Premier League table for the first time in 26 years.
  • BBC director general Tim Davie praised Lineker as a defining voice in football coverage and thanked him for his more than two decades of service.
  • The BBC has appointed Kelly Cates, Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman as the new hosts of Match of the Day.
  • Lineker will continue hosting his podcast The Rest Is Football and is in talks to collaborate with sports broadcaster DAZN on future projects.