Gary Lineker bid a tearful farewell to Match Of The Day as he offered the present for the ultimate time.
The ex-England striker, 64, introduced his departure earlier this month after sharing a social media submit from the Palestine Foyer group titled: “Zionism explained in two minutes.”
The Instagram submit was illustrated with a rat, which has been used to characterize Jewish folks in antisemitic propaganda – together with Nazi Germany.
Lineker “apologised unreservedly” for sharing it, saying he was unaware of the reference and it was a mistake. He maintained the significance of “speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza”.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
1:44
Watch: Lineker confirms BBC exit
Presenting his closing Match Of The Day alongside common colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, Lineker didn’t straight deal with the circumstances of his departure in the course of the programme.
“It wasn’t meant to end this way,” he quipped in his opening line, persevering with: “But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about.”
Manchester Metropolis, Chelsea, and Newcastle secured the remaining locations in Europe’s elite competitors.
After operating by highlights of all 10 video games from the ultimate day of the Premier League season, Lineker thanked his fellow pundits, viewers and people who work behind the scenes, earlier than wishing good luck to his replacements.
Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates will tackle presenting duties for the 2025-26 marketing campaign.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
2:48
Lineker leaves BBC: Timeline of occasions
‘It has been so particular’
Lineker wiped away tears on the finish of the present, having been performed a montage of messages together with from Richards, Shearer, Ian Wright, Alan Hansen, Paul Gascoigne, Pep Guardiola, and Claudio Ranieri.
Italian supervisor Ranieri led Lineker’s beloved Leicester Metropolis to the Premier League title in 2016, which memorably noticed the BBC’s highest paid star current an episode of Match Of The Day in a pair of boxers.
He had promised to look on the present half bare if Leicester received the league.
Lineker began presenting Match Of The Day again in 1999, and has additionally fronted the BBC’s protection of World Cups, Euros tournaments, and the Olympics.
“It has been so special,” Lineker mentioned as he signed off, “and I am sorry that your team was always on last.
“Time to say goodbye. Goodbye.”
