Gary Lineker’s ‘difficult’ verdict on final Match of the Day as BBC exit sealed

Gary Lineker’s departure from the BBC and Match of the Day has now been confirmed off the back of his controversial social media post, and the pundit has shared fears about his final episode

Gary Lineker has suggested that his last Match of the Day appearance is set to be extra “difficult” – given the fierce competition for the remaining Champions League spots in the Premier League table. This comes as the 64-year-old’s BBC departure is confirmed following discussions with executives last week, where it was decided he would sever all connections with the broadcaster amidst a storm of criticism over his controversial social media post.

The former England forward was poised to bid farewell to the iconic show at the close of this season after a 26-year tenure as host.

He was anticipated to remain with the BBC for the 2025/26 FA Cup campaign and to lead their 2026 World Cup coverage. However, after facing backlash over posting a controversial video on Instagram and subsequent allegations of antisemitism, which led to an apology, Lineker will exit the BBC after his final Match of the Day stint.

Yet, before his dramatic sign-off, Lineker has openly discussed his expectations for what could be a tumultuous final episode, with the race for top European qualification heating up among the Premier League’s elite.

Liverpool and Arsenal have already clinched their places for the forthcoming campaign, but Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest are still vying for a chance to join them.

“There is gonna be twists and turns,” Lineker forecasted while speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, which was released on Monday morning. “I sense our last Match of the Day of the season… it will obviously be around the Champions League spots.

“I don’t know whether the plan will be when we go from one game to another, and tell the story of the afternoon, which editorially is difficult, but we’ve done it a few times before.

“But, I don’t think we’ve done it with five different teams, although it won’t be five different matches because Forest and Chelsea play each other. So it’ll be four games. It could be a bonkers night.”

Only three out of the five teams in contention will make it to the cherished Champions League next season, with a razor-thin margin of just a point separating third-placed Newcastle and seventh-placed Forest. This tightly-contested scenario has Lineker predicting that his final show might just be an adrenaline-pumping affair.

Last week, Lineker was forced to apologise after posting a video on his social media that contained a deeply offensive image. He had reshared a clip from the activist group Palestine Lobby, which showed a rat emoji, linked to antisemitic sentiment, reports the Express.

His departure was confirmed on Monday. He said: “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio. 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 antisemitic – 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.”

BBC director-general Tim Davie added: “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.

“Gary has been a defining voice in football coverage for the BBC for over two decades. His passion and knowledge have shaped our sports journalism and earned him the respect of sports fans across the UK and beyond. We want to thank him for the contribution he has made.”

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