Gary Lineker has said the BBC has “lost its way” in the impartiality debate, one year after leaving the broadcaster. The former Match of the Day presenter departed his home of more than 20 years following various incidents regarding his political leanings, including one that saw him briefly suspended in March 2023.
Lineker, 65, was originally scheduled to leave the BBC in 2026 following this summer’s World Cup. However, his departure was expedited last year amid allegations of antisemitism when he shared an anti-zionist meme featuring a depiction of a rat, a common trope used against those of the Jewish faith. Lineker has also spoken out publicly on other political matters, such as Brexit, in the past. He has been referred to as a ‘voice of the Left’, though he has described himself as more centrist in his beliefs.
Pressure to stay quiet
In recent years, pressure was put on Lineker to be less vocal in his opinions given his status and influence, even though there is no legal obligation for BBC employees to do so. One year on from his split from the broadcaster, the England legend expressed his opinion that the BBC has only become more partisan itself over time.
“For a lot of people, empathy goes as you get older, and you turn perhaps more to the far right,” he told The Observer. “I’ve been the opposite.”
Feeling liberated after exit
Lineker has been particularly vocal in recent years regarding his stance on the Palestinian humanitarian crisis and the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Since cutting ties with the BBC, he feels more liberated to express himself freely without rebuke.
“I don’t need to tread on eggshells all the time,” he continued. “I’m now entitled to an opinion. Generally, life’s slightly more relaxed.”
“I haven’t missed the BBC. I’ve got lots of respect for it, but it’s lost its way. They talk about impartiality, but at the top they’re definitely partial. We need to look beyond political parties deciding who’s on the board.”
Political links and ongoing commentary
Former BBC director general Tim Davie stood as a Conservative Party councillor for Hammersmith in the early 1990s. The BBC has been criticised in the past for hiring former Tory officials and donors, like ex-chairperson Richard Sharp, to such high-ranking positions despite obvious political links.
Lineker continues to comment publicly on certain matters close to his heart on social media. He recently shared a post from anti-Zionist Tony Greenstein, which likened Zionism to the Third Reich.
Fans of Lineker can still catch his football musings on The Rest Is Football podcast, which now streams twice per week on Netflix during the Premier League season. However, he has no intentions of quietening down on social media anytime soon, either.
