Gary Lineker has said he feels a “lot freer” since leaving the BBC in 2025, and is happier being able to share his opinions after 30 years of hosting Match of the Day under the corporation's strict impartiality rules.
The former footballer, 65, left the corporation in 2025 after regularly hitting the headlines for seemingly flouting its impartiality guidelines. He said, “With the BBC, it was like a marriage, it was great for a long time and then it petered out. It was difficult at times, but I feel a lot freer now. And I can give my opinion on things if I feel I need to.”
Career and Impartiality Breaches
After winning 80 caps for England, Lineker transitioned into sports punditry, starting out at Radio 5 Live before moving into more mainstream hosting on They Think It's All Over and Grandstand. Over the years, he breached the BBC's guidelines on impartiality repeatedly, airing his views on immigration policy, environmental issues and political donations on his personal social media accounts. He repeatedly contested this, claiming the BBC “moved the goalposts.”
Speaking at Soho Farmhouse's Soho Summit, he said, “When I joined the BBC, the impartiality didn't exist for those outside of news and current affairs. So, in sport, you could give your opinion. I've never really gotten involved in politics. It's always humanitarian for me. And then social media comes and then in 2019, I think, they decided that would now apply to all people, and then they'd had a chat with me, and I said: 'Well, I'm still going to post on humanitarian issues.' So that was it, it wasn't easy. But I don't criticise anyone for not speaking out, because I know how difficult it can be. And I will say for me, though, I'm pretty secure in life.”
Activism and Impact
He has been most outspoken about refugee rights and immigration policy, anti-Brexit advocacy, and the Israel-Gaza conflict, but doesn't believe he personally can change anything. He said, “Do I think it makes a difference, what I say? No, I don't. I wish it did. But it makes a difference to me because I if I didn't speak up for those that perhaps don't have a voice, I couldn't look at myself in the mirror. But I wouldn't be critical of anyone who does not speak? The only person you control is yourself.”
Despite his activism, Lineker believes nothing beats the feeling of playing football. He said, “The one thing I would say that I miss is the feeling of scoring a goal. And it's almost indescribable, especially in a big game. To score in a World Cup is like an explosion of different emotions, of joy, of relief, maybe.”
