Match of the Day LIVE: Gary Lineker breaks down in tears in his final appearance following anti-Semitism row

The Sun

25-05-2025

GARY LINEKER broke down in tears at the end of his very last Match of the Day after quitting the BBC following an explosive anti-Semitism row.
And the ex-footballer also made a cheeky dig at the BBC in his opening address.
He began with: "It wasn't meant to end this way."
He paused for a second, before continuing: "But with the title race over and the relegation places confirmed, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about."
The ex-Leicester and England forward's departure comes five days after he apologised for sharing a controversial post that caused him huge backlash.
And MOTD's highest-paid presenter, reportedly at £1.35million a year has revealed that he will not front BBC's World Cup coverage either.
A statement from Lineker read:"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.
"However, 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."
Today, 22:20 By Ian Tuckey
What happens next season?
The BBC have come up with a new format but tried and tested presenters to replace Gary Lineker next season.
The ex-Spurs striker will be followed by:
Kelly Cates
Mark Chapman
Gabby Logan
Today, 22:14 By Ian Tuckey
Gary delivers 'parting snub'
EXCLUSIVE: Gary Lineker ends his Match of the Day career tonight — as details emerged of his parting shot at his BBC boss, writes ELLIE HENMAN.
The former England footie captain, 64, looked relaxed in a checked shirt and jeans and smiled as he arrived at the studios.
But it came after he recently left colleagues in no doubt about his feelings on BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski.
He was seen to snub his boss and made remarks about him which were described as 'blunt'.
Lineker started in 1999 alongside Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson and had been due to anchor the BBC's World Cup coverage next year after leaving MOTD.
But he took the decision to quit the corporation altogether after he was blasted for reposting a video on social media which criticised Zionism with a picture of a rat — used as an insult to Jews by the Nazis. He has repeatedly apologised.
Co-stars and close pals Micah Richards and Alan Shearer were also seen arriving at the MediaCity studios in Salford.
Insiders said there was no love lost between Gary and his boss Alex, who took over the top job at BBC Sport from Barbara Slater last April.
Today, 22:12 By Ian Tuckey
'Tributes and surprises' expected
Match of the Day tonight could be extra different this evening.
It's claimed Gary Lineker's swansong appearance will include "tributes" from big names and "a few surprises" too.
Today, 22:10 By Ian Tuckey
How the Beeb are calling it...
Gary Lineker's departure is not just the end of an era - it's also the exit of their highest-paid star.
And if anyone reckoned it somehow might not be his final show, the Beeb's online preview of tonight's MOTD appears to confirm otherwise.
They called it: "The best of the action from the final day of the Premier League season presented, for the last time, by Gary Lineker."
Today, 22:07 By Ian Tuckey
Gary's abrupt exit
Gary Lineker is half an hour away from presenting his last ever Match of the Day.
But his 26 years in the hotseat are coming to a more dramatic end than expected.
The England legend was scheduled to front the BBC's World cup and FA Cup coverage next season.
But a row over a clip he shared on social media has led to his total resignation from the Beeb.
Lineker was accused of antisemitism as a cartoon image of a rat was included in the video.
But he insisted he had no idea such images have historically been seen as derogatory towards Jewish people.
Now he's poised for an emotional final show tonight - on the last day of the Prem season.
Today, 21:57 By Laurence Ryan
Last time for Lineker
Gary Lineker was spotted arriving at the BBC studios tonight ahead of his final show on Match of the Day.
The former Leicester star will no longer appear on the show after today, although his future involvement with the BBC has been ended abruptly due to recent controversy.
Today, 21:45 By Laurence Ryan
One last dance for Lineker
Welcome to SunSport's coverage of Gary Lineker's final appearance on Match of the Day.
Lineker first hosted the famous show in the 1999/2000 season, but will be bringing and end to his time presenting the show tonight.
He had originally been scheduled to represent the BBC on FA Cup games, and the upcoming 2026 World Cup, but recent controversy means he will not be there.
Tonight will end on a sour note for Lineker, as he has to bring the final day action to fans, which also coincides with Leicester's last appearance in the Premier League for at least one season.
Tonight's show will focus on the final day of the Premier League season, which saw the Champions League places settled, and saw Liverpool lift the Premier League title.