Lineker’s football podcast –
Gary Lineker’s podcast, The Rest is Football, has been removed from BBC Sounds following a controversy involving an antisemitic social media post. The BBC announced that the podcast would have its final episode on the platform this week, marking an abrupt end to its planned three-year run. The decision came after Lineker shared a post about Zionism that included an image of a rat, a symbol historically associated with antisemitism. While Lineker later apologized, stating he did not recognize the image’s connotation, the incident led to his early departure from the BBC. The podcast will continue on other platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, where it gained significant popularity during the UEFA Euro 2024 .
Lineker’s exit from the BBC also includes stepping down from his presenting roles, including Match of the Day, and he will not host the BBC’s coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup or the next season of the FA Cup. This marks the end of a 26-year association with the broadcaster, during which he became its highest-paid presenter .
The controversy over the podcast post is not Lineker’s first clash with the BBC’s impartiality guidelines. In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended after criticizing the UK government’s asylum policy, leading to a review of the BBC’s social media guidelines .
Despite the controversies, Lineker’s podcast ventures continue to thrive. His company, Goalhanger Podcasts, produces several popular shows, including The Rest is History, which remains available on BBC Sounds .
The BBC’s decision to remove the podcast underscores the importance of maintaining editorial standards and impartiality, especially for high-profile presenters