Former England footballer and broadcaster Gary Lineker has publicly condemned far-right activist Tommy Robinson after a social media exchange over a viral holiday clip.
Viral Video Sparks Online Spat
A video of Gary Lineker, 65, walking with a woman in Mexico circulated widely on social media on Sunday, 1st December 2025. The clip prompted Tommy Robinson, 43, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, to question the former Match of the Day presenter's actions online.
Robinson directly addressed Lineker on social media, asking: "What are you up to here @GaryLineker?" This interaction is the latest in a series of clashes between the two, stemming from Lineker's past political commentary and a pro-Palestine post he shared before leaving the BBC earlier in 2025.
Lineker's Firm Rebuttal
Lineker was quick to set the record straight, revealing the woman in the video was his daughter-in-law, Bella. He explained they were visiting a chemist to get medicine for her husband – Lineker's son, Harry, who was unwell.
In his retort, the ex-footballer delivered a pointed message to Robinson: "If you must know, I was going to a chemist with my daughter-in-law, to get some medicine for her unwell husband….my son. Hatred is a dreadful weakness."
The online dispute drew in other family members. Lineker's other son, George, later labelled Robinson a 'f***ing idiot' for commenting on the clip of his sister-in-law. Bella and Harry had married in the summer of 2025.
A History of Tension and New Horizons
This is not the first confrontation between Lineker and Robinson. Lineker has previously claimed he was targeted in public, even alleging he was 'elbowed in the back' by an older woman on her way to one of the activist's rallies. He told the Joe podcast that he is often accused of 'hating Britain' by the same group of people.
Meanwhile, Lineker's career continues on a new path after his departure from the BBC in May 2025, ending a 26-year tenure as the face of Match of the Day. His exit followed an anti-Semitism row, though he had initially planned to leave in 2025 and front the BBC's 2026 World Cup coverage.
The trip to Mexico was his first visit since the 1986 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot. He was in the city of Pachuca in November for a ceremony inducting him into the International Football Hall of Fame. Rumours also suggest a potential lucrative deal with Netflix ahead of next year's World Cup in North America.
Reflecting on his post-BBC success, including winning the Best TV Presenter award at the National Television Awards in September, Lineker joked on his podcast: "Since I quit the BBC... I've won more awards than in my life! I should have left 10 years ago!"
