Gary Lineker is set to leave the BBC after 26 years, with his final Match of the Day appearance scheduled for this Sunday.
The corporation confirmed today that the former England striker "will leave his presenting role following the conclusion of Match of the Day for the 2024/25 season."
The BBC also stated he "will not be part of the BBC's coverage of the 2026 World Cup or next season's FA Cup coverage."
In a strongly-worded email, BBC director of sport Alex Kay-Jelski told staff about Lineker's exit - days after the presenter hit out at him in an interview with The Telegraph.
Gary Lineker took a hit at Alex Kay-Jelski after saying he had 'no TV experience'PA/Getty"You will have seen in the past few minutes that Gary Lineker will be leaving the BBC at the end of the current football season...
"I appreciate the last week has been difficult and emotional for many of you. Thank you for all the messages and conversations, even if some of them weren’t easy to have. And I hope you understand that I had to wait until now to tell you the news.
"It is sad to be saying goodbye to such a brilliant broadcaster and I also want to thank Gary for his years of service. As ever, if you have questions, you know where I am.
"Let’s finish the season strongly with Gary's final show, enjoy an incredible summer of sport and look forward with excitement to what lies ahead."
His departure follows a week of mounting pressure after he shared a post on Instagram that was widely condemned as anti-Semitic.
JUST IN: Gary Lineker quits BBC and will not be around for 2026 World Cup after anti-Semitism row
Lineker reportedly met with BBC bosses last week where the agreement for him to step down was reached.
The controversy began when Lineker shared a post from the group Palestine Lobby on Instagram with his 1.2 million followers last Tuesday.
The repost, which he later deleted, contained a video criticising Zionism and included an illustration of a rat.
The departure also comes after Lineker delivered a pointed critique of the BBC's director of sport, Kay-Jelski, who joined the role last year.
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Lineker will leave Match of the Day after being its anchor for 25 yearsBBCHe described Kay-Jelski as having "no TV experience" and alluded to a "regime change" at the BBC since he took the helm last year.
"He has his reasons, he wants to change Match of the Day a bit," Lineker remarked.
"I don't think they will, because I don't see how you move a highlights show away from being about highlights.
"I think he wants more journalists - he has come from that background. He has got no television experience."
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Gary Lineker will leave the BBC after Match of the Day airs on SundayPAIn a statement released today, Lineker reflected on his long career with the corporation, saying: "It's been a pleasure and a huge privilege working with the BBC for the last 30 years."
"Especially hosting Match of the Day, a programme that is so close to my heart and an integral part of my life."
He expressed gratitude to his colleagues, saying: "I'd like to thank all of the quite brilliant, talented and lovely people both in front and behind the camera that I've worked with for three decades. You're the absolute best."
The presenter also emphasised his passion for the sport, adding: "Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember - both on the pitch and in the studio."
