GARY Lineker has returned to the BBC for the first time sincebeing accused of sharing a “anti-Semitic”;; post.
The outgoinghost sparked fury over theupload, which has since been deleted.
Lineker has after sharing the pro-Gaza video that likened supporters of Israel to rats.
A rat has been used as an anti-Semitic insult referring to language used by Nazi Germany to characterise Jewish people.
The rat accompanied footage of a Canadian-Palestinian lawyer attacking the war inwith the caption “Zionism explained in two minutes.”;;
In a statement,said: “On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references.
“I very much regret these references.
“I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.
“The post was removed as soon as I became aware of the.
“Whilst I strongly believe in the importance of speaking out on humanitarian issues, including the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, I also know that how we do so matters.
“I take full responsibility for this mistake. That image does not reflect my views.
“It was an error on my part for which I apologise unreservedly.”;;
Last November Lineker announced he would be stepping down from presenting, but will still host World Cup and FA Cup coverage.
And the former England striker returned to TV screens this afternoon for the first time since the row erupted.
He presented coverage of the FA Cup final betweenManchester CityandCrystal Palacefrom Wembley.
Lineker appeared alongsideWayne Rooney.
But a source said: “He is hosting the Cup final this weekend but beyond that we don’t know at this stage.
“Staff are annoyed with him after this week — and he is annoyed with himself too.”;;
This comes after the director general of theBBCsaid people need to follow the broadcaster’s social media rules when asked about the row involving the Lineker post.
Tim Davie, after giving a wide-ranging speech, speaking of trust, disinformation and impartiality, was asked if Lineker had broken the BBC’s rules.
Speaking at The Lowry arts centre in, Mr Davie said: “The BBC’s reputation is held by everyone and when someone makes a mistake, it costs us.
“And I think we absolutely need people to be the exemplars of BBC values and follow our social media policies, simple as that.”;;
Lineker’s agent told the BBC the presenter immediately deleted the post when he learned about the image’s symbolism, which he had previously not appreciated.
In March 2023 Lineker was after an impartiality row over comments he made criticising the then-government’s new asylum policy.
He was also among 500 other high-profile figures who signed an open letter in February urging the BBC, to re-broadcast a documentary,.
Lineker is the, makers of the popular The Rest Is History series and its spin-offs about politics, football, entertainment and money.
