Gary Lineker is set to make his final appearance on Match of the Day this Sunday following his departure from the BBC over an "anti-Semitic" social media post.
The former England football captain has been allowed to host the coverage of the last matches of the Premier League season despite mounting pressure within the corporation and beyond.
The controversy stems from a now-deleted Instagram post last week that featured an anti-Semitic rat emoji, which has been widely condemned.
The BBC confirmed at noon on Monday that this Sunday's Match of the Day will be Lineker's last BBC outing.
Gary Lineker caused fury when he posted an anti-Semitic post on his social media channels
PA
The decision to allow Lineker a final appearance has sparked outrage, with critics accusing the BBC of giving him a "hero's farewell" despite the offensive nature of his post.
Campaigners and BBC insiders are questioning why he was not dismissed with immediate effect given the levels of offence caused by the post.
The controversy intensified when Telegraph Sport published an interview with Lineker in which he made further comments about Israel and criticised his BBC boss.
The presenter will lose an estimated £800,000 after being forced to leave without a pay-off, according to sources close to the corporation.
The decision to drop him was reportedly made by BBC chiefs who had run out of patience with his outspoken political views.
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Several prominent media executives have expressed concern about the BBC's decision to allow Lineker a final appearance.
Leo Pearlman, chief executive at Fulwell Entertainment, told Telegraph Sport: "The BBC's decision to allow Lineker a final appearance on Match of the Day, effectively offering him a hero's farewell, despite the fact that he is leaving the corporation because of his use of an anti-Semitic trope comparing Jews to vermin, is deeply disturbing."
Danny Cohen, former director of BBC Television, added: "The BBC has made the right decision to part ways with Gary Lineker, but he should not be allowed a final swansong this weekend."
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Lineker will leave Match of the Day after being its anchor for 25 yearsBBCJane Lush, former controller of BBC Entertainment and Comedy, emphasised: "No person, however popular, is bigger or more important than the BBC."
Politicians and BBC staff have also voiced their concerns about Lineker's continued presence on the programme.
Stuart Andrew MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "It is unacceptable that the BBC is permitting Gary Lineker to host Match of the Day as a presenter for one more show given his reposting of offensive content which played into ancient anti-Semitic tropes."
An anonymous Jewish BBC staff member expressed their dismay to the Telegraph: "It's not just about the rat, the video itself contained anti-Semitic tropes and yet it seems like BBC bosses have done the bare minimum of damage limitation.
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Gary Lineker came under fire for posting material to his social media channels that included anti-Semitic imagery
"As a Jewish member of staff, that feels like a betrayal."
Lineker is already set to miss out on a payment of £800,000 as he prepares to leave his £1.35million-a-year job behind early.
The BBC have also started their hunt for a replacement ahead of the World Cup next year.
Mark Chapman, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan are in all in the running, with the trio set to pick up his presenting duties on Match of the Day next season.
